Robert James (headmaster)
Encyclopedia
Robert Leoline James C.B.E.
(27 September 1905 – 14 May 1982) was High Master of St Paul's School from 1946 to 1953 and headmaster of Harrow School
from 1953 to 1971.
, who was Dean
of Bangor
from 1934 to 1940. He was educated at Rossall School
and Jesus College, Oxford
, where he obtained a first-class degree in Literae Humaniores
. He was also awarded a doctorate
by the University of London
. He was a housemaster
at St Paul's School and taught classics from 1928 to 1939. In 1939, he became headmaster of Chigwell School
before returning to St Paul's as High Master in 1946. In 1953, he became headmaster of Harrow School
and on his death it was said that the prestige of the school had "seldom stood higher" than it had during his 18 year period in office. He was regarded as friendly and approachable, and was a traditionalist rather than an innovator. He twice hosted visits to the school by Elizabeth II
and was awarded the CBE
in 1971. He died on 14 May 1982 in Oxford
at the age of 76.
Married 1939 Maud Eliot Gibbons. Two recorded sons.
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...
(27 September 1905 – 14 May 1982) was High Master of St Paul's School from 1946 to 1953 and headmaster of Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
from 1953 to 1971.
Biography
James was the son of Henry Lewis JamesHenry Lewis James
Henry Lewis James was Dean of Bangor from 1934 to 1940 and an author of theological works in Welsh.-Life:...
, who was Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of Bangor
Bangor Cathedral
Bangor Cathedral is an ancient place of Christian worship situated in Bangor, Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It is dedicated to its founder, Saint Deiniol....
from 1934 to 1940. He was educated at Rossall School
Rossall School
Rossall School is a British, co-educational, independent school, between Cleveleys and Fleetwood, Lancashire. Rossall was founded in 1844 by St. Vincent Beechey as a sister school to Marlborough College which had been founded the previous year...
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 first-class degree in Literae Humaniores
Literae Humaniores
Literae Humaniores is the name given to an undergraduate course focused on Classics at Oxford and some other universities.The Latin name means literally "more humane letters", but is perhaps better rendered as "Advanced Studies", since humaniores has the sense of "more refined" or "more learned",...
. He was also awarded a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
by 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...
. He was a housemaster
Housemaster
In British education, a housemaster is a member of staff in charge of a boarding house, normally at a boarding school . The housemaster is responsible for the supervision and care of boarders in the house and typically lives on the premises...
at St Paul's School and taught classics from 1928 to 1939. In 1939, he became headmaster of Chigwell School
Chigwell School
Chigwell School is an English co-educational independent school/public school in Chigwell, in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It was founded in 1629 by Samuel Harsnett, a former Archbishop of York . There are around 730 pupils aged between 7 and 18 years...
before returning to St Paul's as High Master in 1946. In 1953, he became headmaster of Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
and on his death it was said that the prestige of the school had "seldom stood higher" than it had during his 18 year period in office. He was regarded as friendly and approachable, and was a traditionalist rather than an innovator. He twice hosted visits to the school by Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
and was awarded the CBE
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...
in 1971. He died on 14 May 1982 in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
at the age of 76.
Married 1939 Maud Eliot Gibbons. Two recorded sons.