Richard Skinner

Richard Skinner was the name of several notable public figures who served in political and broadcasting roles in England, the United States, and the United Kingdom over a span of more than four centuries. The individuals most commonly identified with this name include Richard Skinner (American politician) (1778–1833), an American politician, attorney, and jurist from the U.S. state of Vermont; Richard Skinner (broadcaster) (born 1951), a British radio and television broadcaster; and Richard Skinner (MP) (died 1575), an English politician who served in the Parliament of England. Each of these men achieved distinction in his respective field and era, contributing to the political or cultural life of his country.

Richard Skinner (MP), who died in 1575, was an English politician active during the Tudor period. Although detailed records of his early life and education are scarce, he emerged in the historical record as a participant in the political affairs of sixteenth-century England. As a Member of Parliament, he took part in the legislative processes of the realm at a time when the English Parliament was evolving in its structure and influence under the Tudor monarchs. His service placed him among the ranks of local and national notables who were called upon to advise the Crown and to represent the interests of constituencies in the House of Commons. Skinner’s death in 1575 closed a career that reflected the growing importance of parliamentary service in English governance.

Richard Skinner (American politician) (1778–1833) was an American politician, attorney, and jurist from the state of Vermont who rose to prominence in the early decades of the United States. Born in 1778, in the years immediately following the American Revolution, he came of age as the new nation was establishing its legal and political institutions. He pursued legal studies and entered the bar, building a career as an attorney in Vermont. His legal training and growing reputation at the bar led naturally into public service, as was common in the early republic, where many leading politicians were drawn from the legal profession. Through his work as an attorney, he became closely acquainted with the legal issues facing a largely rural, developing state and gained experience that would later inform his judicial and political roles.

As his career advanced, Richard Skinner became a significant figure in Vermont’s public life, serving as both a politician and a jurist. He held a series of offices that reflected the trust placed in him by his fellow citizens and colleagues, participating in the governance of Vermont during a period of expansion and institutional consolidation. In his capacity as an attorney and public official, he contributed to the interpretation and application of state law, helping to shape the legal framework under which Vermonters lived and conducted business. His work as a jurist underscored his role in upholding the rule of law, and his service as an American politician from Vermont placed him within the broader current of early nineteenth-century American political development. He remained active in these roles until his death in 1833, leaving a legacy as a respected lawyer, officeholder, and judge in his home state.

Richard Skinner (broadcaster) (born 1951) is a British radio and television broadcaster who became well known in the United Kingdom during the late twentieth century. Born in 1951, he grew up in an era when radio and, increasingly, television were central to British cultural life. He entered broadcasting as a young man and developed a career that coincided with significant changes in the media landscape, including the rise of pop and rock music broadcasting and the expansion of national and commercial radio services. His early work in radio established him as a recognizable voice to listeners and laid the foundation for a long career in front of the microphone and camera.

Over the course of his professional life, Richard Skinner became associated with major British broadcasting institutions, working in both radio and television. As a British radio and television broadcaster, he presented music, entertainment, and other programming that reached wide audiences, contributing to the popular culture of his time. His roles in broadcasting required versatility, from introducing new music and interviewing artists to presenting more general entertainment or informational content. Through these activities, he became part of the familiar sound and image of British broadcasting for several decades. Born in 1951 and active across multiple formats, he exemplified the generation of broadcasters who bridged the era of traditional radio with the expanding world of television and, later, more diversified media platforms.