- For many years, with his brother, Ross, he edited the Guinness Book of Records which they founded in 1955.
- Masters degree from Oxford University (1948).
- Was the first to report the result of the sub-4 minute mile: "Ladies and gentlemen, here is the result of event No 9, the one mile. First, No 41, R G Bannister, of the Amateur Athletic Association. The time is three minutes 59.4 seconds." He practiced the announcement beforehand in the bath.
- Twin brother of Ross McWhirter.
- Became athletics correspondent for London's "Observer" newspaper (1949)
- Managing director of Guinness Superlatives Ltd of London; he published the first Guinness Book in 1954. He continued to edit the "Guinness Book of Records" until 1986, and remained advisory editor until 1996.
- Worked for the BBC, providing commentary for Olympic track and field events from 1952-1972.
- Two children with wife Carole: daughter Jane & son Alasdair.
- He chaired the family electronics business for almost 30 years and founded the Redwood Press, which was printing one title out of every nine published in Britain by the time the Gieves group took it over in 1972.
- In 1951 he began 16 years as athletics correspondent of 'The Observer', also working for 'The Star' until 1960. His brother Ross was its rugby and tennis correspondent.
- Graduated in International Relations and Economics (BA), followed by an MA in Law (both Oxford University).
- Born the middle son (and the elder of twins), his father was William McWhirter, managing director of Associated Newspapers and the Northcliffe Newspaper Group, and his mother the former Margaret Williamson. He was a grandson of William McWhirter, inventor of the voltmeter and ammeter.
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