EVERYBODY likes Willie," said a friend when William Whitelaw was named Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. "Even the grottiest Irishman should warm to him in time." Big, breezy Whitelaw, who turns 54 this week, brought to his daunting task a large measure of personal charm and warmth. In the words of an admiring aide: "He radiates good will, patience, impartiality, but underneath, he's a very cunning man—it's an ideal mix." If peace is finally achieved in Northern Ireland, the credit will belong largely to the man who, as a Catholic politician recently...
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