Eric James, Baron James of Rusholme
Encyclopedia
Eric John Francis James, Baron James of Rusholme (13 April 1909 – 16 May 1992) was a prominent British
educator.
He was educated at York Place Secondary School, Brighton, Taunton's School, Southampton and Queen's College, Oxford. He taught science at Winchester College
from 1933 to 1945, and was High Master of The Manchester Grammar School
from 1945 to 1962. He then became the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of York
, serving from 1962 to 1973.
He had well-known and controversial views on the importance of meritocracy
and took very seriously "the University's obligation to be a cultural and educational force in the region". His three cardinal principles for the University of York were:
History of James College at the University of York
James College was named after Lord James of Rusholme, the first Vice-Chancellor of University (1963-1972). Lord James had three principles for the development of the fledgling University: that is should be a collegiate University, that it should aim to limit the range of subjects taught, and that much of the teaching should be conducted in tutorial and seminars.
In his first Annual Report, Lord James wrote "A University consists not primarily of buildings, but of men and women, both staff and students" and the collegiate character of York continues to ensure that the University makes outstanding intellectual, sporting and cultural contributions, both on the campus and in the wider community.
Opening of the College
One of the more modern Colleges, James College was built in response to the increased student admissions and work began on the first phase in November 1989. The College was formally opened by Lady James on 5 October 1992. Phase 2 of the college was opened in October 1993, consisting of further blocks of accommodation with en-suite facilities.
In subsequent years there has been further expansion and some upgrading of existing blocks.
The present day
The College now consists of 12 Blocks and is home to 500 students each year. All rooms now have high-speed internet connections. The College has its own Junior Common Room building, and also utilises shared space within Wentworth and Goodricke Colleges. Oliver James, son of Lord James, takes an active interest in the College and continues to support its activities.
In total the College has over 1500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Resident and non-resident students play a vital part in the life of the College.
Expansion
A further chapter in the development of James College began with the relocation of Goodricke College to Heslington East in summer 2009. James College has expanded with the addition of N Block. It also space in the centrel nucleus - Common Room, Staff Room and JCRC Office. These central rooms and walkthrough were refurbished during summer 2010.
James was created a life peer
as Baron James of Rusholme, of Fallowfield in the County Palatine of Lancashire
, in 1959. He was married to Cordelia Wintour, paternal aunt of the fashion magazine editor Anna Wintour
and the British journalist Patrick Wintour
.
He was the father of Professor Oliver James, a leading British hepatologist and pro-vice chancellor of the Newcastle University.
His great, great nephew Joshua Allen is currently studying at the University of York
. Controversially he is a member of Alcuin College
.
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...
educator.
He was educated at York Place Secondary School, Brighton, Taunton's School, Southampton and Queen's College, Oxford. He taught science at Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
from 1933 to 1945, and was High Master of The Manchester Grammar School
Manchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
from 1945 to 1962. He then became the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
, serving from 1962 to 1973.
He had well-known and controversial views on the importance of meritocracy
Meritocracy
Meritocracy, in the first, most administrative sense, is a system of government or other administration wherein appointments and responsibilities are objectively assigned to individuals based upon their "merits", namely intelligence, credentials, and education, determined through evaluations or...
and took very seriously "the University's obligation to be a cultural and educational force in the region". His three cardinal principles for the University of York were:
- it should be collegiate in character
- it should deliberately aim to limit the range of subjects
- much of the teaching should be by tutorials and seminars
History of James College at the University of YorkUniversity of YorkThe University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
James College was named after Lord James of Rusholme, the first Vice-Chancellor of University (1963-1972). Lord James had three principles for the development of the fledgling University: that is should be a collegiate University, that it should aim to limit the range of subjects taught, and that much of the teaching should be conducted in tutorial and seminars.In his first Annual Report, Lord James wrote "A University consists not primarily of buildings, but of men and women, both staff and students" and the collegiate character of York continues to ensure that the University makes outstanding intellectual, sporting and cultural contributions, both on the campus and in the wider community.
Opening of the College
One of the more modern Colleges, James College was built in response to the increased student admissions and work began on the first phase in November 1989. The College was formally opened by Lady James on 5 October 1992. Phase 2 of the college was opened in October 1993, consisting of further blocks of accommodation with en-suite facilities.
In subsequent years there has been further expansion and some upgrading of existing blocks.
The present day
The College now consists of 12 Blocks and is home to 500 students each year. All rooms now have high-speed internet connections. The College has its own Junior Common Room building, and also utilises shared space within Wentworth and Goodricke Colleges. Oliver James, son of Lord James, takes an active interest in the College and continues to support its activities.
In total the College has over 1500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Resident and non-resident students play a vital part in the life of the College.
Expansion
A further chapter in the development of James College began with the relocation of Goodricke College to Heslington East in summer 2009. James College has expanded with the addition of N Block. It also space in the centrel nucleus - Common Room, Staff Room and JCRC Office. These central rooms and walkthrough were refurbished during summer 2010.
James was created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baron James of Rusholme, of Fallowfield in the County Palatine of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, in 1959. He was married to Cordelia Wintour, paternal aunt of the fashion magazine editor Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour, OBE is the British-born editor-in-chief of American Vogue, a position she has held since 1988. With her trademark pageboy bob haircut and sunglasses, Wintour has become an institution throughout the fashion world, widely praised for her eye for fashion trends and her support for...
and the British journalist Patrick Wintour
Patrick Wintour
Patrick Wintour is a British journalist, political editor of The Guardian. The son of the late Charles Vere Wintour by his marriage to Eleanor Trego Wintour , Wintour was educated at...
.
He was the father of Professor Oliver James, a leading British hepatologist and pro-vice chancellor of the Newcastle University.
His great, great nephew Joshua Allen is currently studying at the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
. Controversially he is a member of Alcuin College
Alcuin College
Alcuin College is a college of the University of York. The Seebohm Rowntree Building was added in 2002.Sitting upon Siward's Howe, it has throughout the life of the University been the home of the self-styled Alcuin Separatist Movement, a running gag at York, involving the secession of the college...
.