Robert Arthur Humphreys
Encyclopedia
Robert Arthur Humphreys OBE
(6 June 1907 - 1999) was the founder of Latin American studies
in the United Kingdom
. He was Director from 1965-74 of the Institute of Latin American Studies
, and President from 1964-8 of the Royal Historical Society
. He was awarded the OBE in 1946.
and then Peterhouse, Cambridge
. He was appointed assistant lecturer in American history at University College London
(UCL) in 1934. During World War II
he worked at the British Foreign Office in a research capacity. After the war he returned to UCL and was promoted to Reader
, and then, in 1948, became the UK's first professor of Latin American history. In 1965 he became the founding Director of the University of London
's Institute of Latin American Studies
, and during this time was also President of the Royal Historical Society
(1964-8).
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(6 June 1907 - 1999) was the founder of Latin American studies
Latin American Studies
Latin American studies is an academic discipline dealing with the study of Latin America and Latin Americans.-Definition:Latin American studies critically examines the history, culture, politics, and experiences of Latin Americans in Latin America and often also elsewhere .Latin American studies...
in the United Kingdom
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...
. He was Director from 1965-74 of the Institute of Latin American Studies
Institute of Latin American Studies
The Institute of Latin American Studies was set up in 1965 at the University of London, with the objective of providing postgraduate level teaching and a focus for research on the literature, history, politics and economics of Latin America and the Caribbean.In August 2004 the ILAS merged with the...
, and President from 1964-8 of the Royal Historical Society
Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society was founded in 1868. The premier society in the United Kingdom which promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past, it is based at University College London...
. He was awarded the OBE in 1946.
Life
He went to Lincoln Christ's Hospital SchoolLincoln Christ's Hospital School
Lincoln Christ's Hospital School is a state comprehensive school for 11-18 year olds located on Wragby Road in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.-Admissions:Its student population is just under 1400, including over 300 in the sixth form...
and then Peterhouse, Cambridge
Peterhouse, Cambridge
Peterhouse is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the oldest college of the University, having been founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely...
. He was appointed assistant lecturer in American history at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(UCL) in 1934. During 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 worked at the British Foreign Office in a research capacity. After the war he returned to UCL and was promoted to 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...
, and then, in 1948, became the UK's first professor of Latin American history. In 1965 he became the founding Director of 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...
's Institute of Latin American Studies
Institute of Latin American Studies
The Institute of Latin American Studies was set up in 1965 at the University of London, with the objective of providing postgraduate level teaching and a focus for research on the literature, history, politics and economics of Latin America and the Caribbean.In August 2004 the ILAS merged with the...
, and during this time was also President of the Royal Historical Society
Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society was founded in 1868. The premier society in the United Kingdom which promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past, it is based at University College London...
(1964-8).