Charles Grant Robertson
Encyclopedia
Sir Charles Grant Robertson CVO
(1869 - 29 February 1948), was a British
academic historian. He was a Fellow of All Soul's College, Oxford and Vice-chancellor
of the University of Birmingham
.
and Hertford College, Oxford
. He was elected a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
in 1893. At Oxford he became a distinguished and influential historian. He was one-time tutor to Prince of Wales
and had many academic publications to his name. He also published a light work called "Voces academicae, short scenes of student life in Oxford" in 1898 and produced a series of romantic novels under the pseudonym Wymond Carey between 1902 and 1907.
In 1920 Grant Robertson became Vice Chancellor of Birmingham University. He is credited with doing much to raise the profile of the young university, with strong support for the new Medical School, the Library and the Barber Institute and one of his first tasks was to set up a Joint Standing Committee on Research With regard to the Library, he declared "A library is not a luxury, nor an ornamental appendage,but an absolute necessity…" . The Charles Grant Robertson Scholarship at Birmingham University is awarded for research in the Department of English, and is open only to existing students of the university.
Grant Robertson was Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom (CVCP), later Universities UK
from 1929 to 1935. He was president of the Johnson
Society at Lichfield
from 1939 to 1944
In spite of his racy early writings, Grant Robertson was a rather aloof and prudish bachelor. He was particularly recalled as wordy, one commentator observing that he "never used a single word to express himself, if a paragraph could more gracefully define his meaning". Staff and students recalled incidents such as when his opening speech at a charity function was so long it dramatically reduced the takings, or when students we invited to tea but never had the chance to eat it.. Harry Hodson
recalled he was "a teacher by nature, and would lecture copiously among his contemporaries and juniors, little heeding if their attention wandered, raising the question, “Can an interesting man be a bore?” But he was well worth listening to, for his mind was sharp, his opinions vigorous and his knowledge vast."
'Centenary Of Charter Of Incorporation. A Short History Of Birmingham From Its Origin To The Present Day 1938 with Conrad
England under the Hanoverians 1944
The British Universities 1944
Chatham and the British Empire 1946
Evolution of Prussia 1946 with Sir J.A.R. Marriott
Bolingbroke 1947
Select Statutes Cases and Documents to Illustrate English Constitutional History, 1660 - 1832 1949
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(1869 - 29 February 1948), was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
academic historian. He was a Fellow of All Soul's College, Oxford and Vice-chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
of the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
.
Biography
Grant Robertson was born in 1869 and educated at Highgate SchoolHighgate School
-Notable members of staff and governing body:* John Ireton, brother of Henry Ireton, Cromwellian General* 1st Earl of Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice, owner of Kenwood, noted for judgment finding contracts for slavery unenforceable in English law* T. S...
and Hertford College, Oxford
Hertford College, Oxford
Hertford College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is located in Catte Street, directly opposite the main entrance of the original Bodleian Library. As of 2006, the college had a financial endowment of £52m. There are 612 students , plus various visiting...
. He was elected a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
All Souls College, Oxford
The Warden and the College of the Souls of all Faithful People deceased in the University of Oxford or All Souls College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England....
in 1893. At Oxford he became a distinguished and influential historian. He was one-time tutor to Prince of Wales
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
and had many academic publications to his name. He also published a light work called "Voces academicae, short scenes of student life in Oxford" in 1898 and produced a series of romantic novels under the pseudonym Wymond Carey between 1902 and 1907.
In 1920 Grant Robertson became Vice Chancellor of Birmingham University. He is credited with doing much to raise the profile of the young university, with strong support for the new Medical School, the Library and the Barber Institute and one of his first tasks was to set up a Joint Standing Committee on Research With regard to the Library, he declared "A library is not a luxury, nor an ornamental appendage,but an absolute necessity…" . The Charles Grant Robertson Scholarship at Birmingham University is awarded for research in the Department of English, and is open only to existing students of the university.
Grant Robertson was Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom (CVCP), later Universities UK
Universities UK
Universities UK began life as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century when there were informal meetings involving Vice-Chancellors of a number of universities and Principals of university colleges...
from 1929 to 1935. He was president of the Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
Society at Lichfield
Lichfield
Lichfield is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly north of Birmingham...
from 1939 to 1944
In spite of his racy early writings, Grant Robertson was a rather aloof and prudish bachelor. He was particularly recalled as wordy, one commentator observing that he "never used a single word to express himself, if a paragraph could more gracefully define his meaning". Staff and students recalled incidents such as when his opening speech at a charity function was so long it dramatically reduced the takings, or when students we invited to tea but never had the chance to eat it.. Harry Hodson
Harry Hodson
Henry Vincent "Harry" Hodson was a British economist and editor.-Career:Hodson was born in Edmonton, London. He was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, and Balliol College, Oxford, becoming a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, in 1928. He was later a member of the Economic Advisory Council and...
recalled he was "a teacher by nature, and would lecture copiously among his contemporaries and juniors, little heeding if their attention wandered, raising the question, “Can an interesting man be a bore?” But he was well worth listening to, for his mind was sharp, his opinions vigorous and his knowledge vast."
Academic works
As Wymond Carey
- Monsieur Martin
- For the white rose
- No 101 and Love
- The Judge