David Couper Thomson DL (6 August 1861 – 12 October 1954) was a Newspaper proprietor and founder of the newspaper and publishing company D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd in Dundee, Scotland. He was the son of William Thomson, shipowner (18 June 1817 – unknown) and his wife, Margaret Couper. He was raised in Newport-on-Tay, Fife
and was later sent to the family shipping business in Glasgow.
His father, William Thomson, was a successful draper and later a shipowner, and in 1884 became the major shareholder of the Dundee Courier & Daily Argus. In 1886, at his father's request, David Couper Thomson moved back to Dundee to become the general manager of the paper. The other son, Frederick Thomson (1864–1917), joined the company in 1888.
DC Thomson was founded with £60,000 capital. William, David and Frederick had all but four of the company shares which were valued at £10 per share. Each wife had an allocation of one share; the remaining share belonged to Frances Thomas Mudie.
When Frederick died in 1917, D.C. became the sole proprietor of the company. Between 1920 and 1922, he actively campaigned using vitriolic rhetoric against one of the two M.P.s for Dundee, then Liberal politician Winston Churchill. At one meeting, Churchill was able to speak for only 40 minutes when he was barracked by a section of the audience. At the General Election of 1922 both of the local newspapers owned by Thomson, the Liberal supporting "Dundee Advertiser" and the Conservative inclined "Courier" advised their readers to reject Churchill. Subsequently, Churchill came only fourth in the poll and lost his seat at Dundee to prohibitionist, Edwin Scrymgeour, quipping later that he left Dundee "without an office, without a seat, without a party and without an appendix". Thomson barred Churchill's name from his newspapers until World War II made occasional use of it unavoidable.
During the General Strike of 1926, most employees of his publishing concern were members of National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants (Natsopa). David Coupar Thomson was outraged by the strike and the effect it had on his business. Earlier in 1926, his company took over the rival company John Leng & Co. which produced the "Dundee Advertiser". The strike coincided with the merger. After the strike, Natsopa members were allowed to return provided the members signed a document to say that they had left the union and tender an apology. In March 1952, a strike was caused when a man who had worked for the company since 1921 was discovered to have secretly joined Natsopa in 1939.
Although Thomson was less involved with the company after 1933, he remained chairman of the company until his death, aged 93, in 1954; but it was his nephew, Harold, who drove the expansion of its publishing interests, particularly in the field of comics. The Sunday Post, launched in 1914, introduced a "Fun" section in 1936 which became home to iconic cartoon characters such as Oor Wullie and The Broons. The Dandy — which included Desperate Dan — first appeared in the following year, and The Beano eight months later, offering a free "Whoopee Mask" with its first issue.
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Some of their strengths
D. C. Thomson has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Generous, Confident, Extroverted, Bold, Optimistic, and Passionate.
Bold and Confident
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, D. C. Thomson is someone who is a bold, confident, energetic, and optimistic person, who is able to combine personal warmth and charisma with intelligence. A person who really cares about helping others make the most of what they have.
Charming and Sophisticated
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know D. C. Thomson well know them as someone who can be classy, glamorous, and worldly, like jewelry.
Organized and Achievement-oriented
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe D. C. Thomson as someone who is organized, goal-oriented, practical, and persevering.
Who is hardworking, intellectual, and easygoing, who loves higher education and learning and sharing ideas with others, and who loves healthy competition.
Charismatic and Playful
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, D. C. Thomson is someone who is used to being the center of attention, and who has a playful approach to dealing with life.
They are also someone who is calm, comforting, and stable, and who loves stability and being a good friend and loyal partner.
Creative and Leadership-oriented
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, D. C. Thomson tends to be someone who is a natural leader, with determination, motivational powers, and who takes obligations seriously. Who has charisma, a sense of humor, and who tends to attract attention.
Some of D. C. Thomson's challenges
While D. C. Thomson has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, D. C. Thomson can be Pleasure-seeking, Arrogant, Status-seeking, Suspicious, Stubborn, Callous, and Selfish.
Arrogant and Status-seeking
One of D. C. Thomson's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as arrogant and status-seeking.
D. C. Thomson must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Callous and Selfish
D. C. Thomson is someone who can be standoffish, pessimistic, and ruthless, who can have difficulty concentrating and be impatient, can have difficulty discovering the keys to personal contentment, and who can have a tendency to overwork and hoard wealth and possessions.
Domineering and Stubborn
Finally, D. C. Thomson also can be too rebellious, not respond to criticism well, and be too emotional and extreme about things.
