John Le Patourel
Encyclopedia
John Herbert Le Patourel FBA (29 July 1909 – 22 July 1981) was a historian from Guernsey
.
, where his father was the Attorney General
. He was educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey
and Jesus College, Oxford
where he obtained a BA
in Modern History
in 1931 followed by a DPhil
. His academic career began at University College, London, where he was assistant lecturer (1933) then lecturer (1936) before becoming Reader
in Medieval History at the University of London
in 1943. In 1945, he moved to the University of Leeds
, where he became Professor of Medieval History, a post he held until 1970 when he became Research Professor until 1974. He was also Director of the Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies from 1967 to 1970. He was made a Fellow of the British Academy in 1972 and became Professor Emeritus on his retirement in 1974. He died on 22 July 1981.
His brother, Herbert Wallace Le Patourel
, was awarded the Victoria Cross
in World War II
.
He married Hilda Elizabeth Jean Bird (1915-2011) in 1939 who became an expert in medieval ceramics and in 1967 was appointed a lecturer at the University of Leeds
. He was Archivist to the Royal Court of Guernsey from 1946 onwards. His first book, The Medieval Administration of the Channel Islands, was published in 1937, based on his Oxford doctoral thesis. Other works included The Manor and Borough of Leeds, 1066–1400 (1957), The Building of Castle Cornet
, Guernsey (1958) and The Norman Empire (1976). His papers and personal collection of books and materials relating to the Channel Islands was donated to the University of Leeds by his widow.
He was a founder member of the Guernsey Society, which was established in 1943 to represent the interests of the Nazi-occupied island
to the British Authorities.
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
.
Life
Le Patourel on 29 July 1909 was born on GuernseyGuernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
, where his father was the Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
. He was educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey
Elizabeth College, Guernsey
Elizabeth College is an independent school in the town of St Peter Port, Guernsey, founded in 1563 under the orders of Queen Elizabeth I.- History :...
and Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
where he obtained a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Modern History
Modern history
Modern history, or the modern era, describes the historical timeline after the Middle Ages. Modern history can be further broken down into the early modern period and the late modern period after the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution...
in 1931 followed by a DPhil
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
. His academic career began at University College, London, where he was assistant lecturer (1933) then lecturer (1936) before becoming Reader
Reader (academic rank)
The title of Reader in the United Kingdom and some universities in the Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand denotes an appointment for a senior academic with a distinguished international reputation in research or scholarship...
in Medieval History at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
in 1943. In 1945, he moved to the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, where he became Professor of Medieval History, a post he held until 1970 when he became Research Professor until 1974. He was also Director of the Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies from 1967 to 1970. He was made a Fellow of the British Academy in 1972 and became Professor Emeritus on his retirement in 1974. He died on 22 July 1981.
His brother, Herbert Wallace Le Patourel
Herbert Wallace Le Patourel
Brigadier Herbert Wallace Le Patourel VC was a British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
He married Hilda Elizabeth Jean Bird (1915-2011) in 1939 who became an expert in medieval ceramics and in 1967 was appointed a lecturer at the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
Work
Much of Le Patourel's academic writing concerned the history of Guernsey and the other Channel IslandsChannel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
. He was Archivist to the Royal Court of Guernsey from 1946 onwards. His first book, The Medieval Administration of the Channel Islands, was published in 1937, based on his Oxford doctoral thesis. Other works included The Manor and Borough of Leeds, 1066–1400 (1957), The Building of Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet is a large island castle in Guernsey, and former tidal island, also known as Cornet Rock or Castle Rock, which has been part of one of the breakwaters of St Peter Port's harbour, the main one in the island, since 1859.- Geography :...
, Guernsey (1958) and The Norman Empire (1976). His papers and personal collection of books and materials relating to the Channel Islands was donated to the University of Leeds by his widow.
He was a founder member of the Guernsey Society, which was established in 1943 to represent the interests of the Nazi-occupied island
Occupation of the Channel Islands
The Channel Islands were occupied by Nazi Germany for much of World War II, from 30 June 1940 until the liberation on 9 May 1945. The Channel Islands are two British Crown dependencies and include the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey as well as the smaller islands of Alderney and Sark...
to the British Authorities.