Vivian Hunter Galbraith
Encyclopedia
Vivian Hunter H. Galbraith, FBA
(15 December 1889 – 25 November 1976) was an English historian, Fellow of the British Academy
and Oxford Regius Professor of Modern History
.
, the son of David Galbraith, a secretary at the steelworks in Hadfield, and Eliza Davidson McIntosh. He moved with his family to London
, and was educated at Highgate School
from 1902 to 1906. The family then moved to Manchester
, where he attended university from 1907 where, amongst his lecturers were Maurice Powicke
, Thomas Frederick Tout
and James Tait, with this first hand experience, Galbraith later wrote Tout and Tait's articles for the Dictionary of National Biography
. He received a first class in modern history
at Manchester University in 1910 and won a Brackenbury scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford
. At Oxford, he won the Stanhope prize
in 1911 with an essay on the chronicles of St Albans
, achieved a third class in literae humaniores in 1913, and a first class in modern history in 1914.
Galbraith became the Langton research fellow at Manchester University and began studying the records of the abbey in Bury St Edmunds
. Ater the outbreak of World War I
, he enlisted in January 1915 and served as a company commander in the Queen's Regiment and was awarded the Croix de guerre avec palme
for his courage in Palestine in 1917 and France in 1918.
In January 1919, Galbraith resumed the academic life, initially as a temporary lecturer at Manchester, and then continuing with his former research on a renewed Langton research fellowship, whilst living in London. He joined the Public Record Office
in January 1921 as an assistant keeper, allowing him daily access to records about English medieval government. At this time he started work on editing an edition of the Anonimalle chronicle of St Mary's, York, published in 1927. In June 1921 he married Georgina Rosalie, daughter of Lyster Cole-Baker MD. She was a medieval historian whom he had met at Manchester.
, in 1940 he was elected Ford's lecturer.
Galbraith succeeded Albert Frederick Pollard as director of the Institute of Historical Research
in 1944. That same year, in his lecture entitled "Good Kings and Bad Kings in Medieval History", he challenged the overall reliance of historians on the chroniclers whose works were often emotional judgments than constructive criticisms of contemporary figures. He concluded that William Rufus and King John
were more misrepresented than any other monarch due to conflict with the clerical hierarchy.
In January 1948, Galbraith succeeded Sir Maurice Powicke as Regius Professor of Modern History
. He was elected an honorary fellow
of Balliol in 1957, and of Oriel in 1958.
Galbraith's works include a reappraisal of the purpose of Domesday Book
, a series of critically edited texts and translations of medieval sources, his works between 1942 and 1974 resulting in Domesday Book: Its Place in Administrative History, published by Oxford University Press
on 23 January 1975. His 1957 essay on the structure of Henry Knighton's Chronicle successfully proved that Knighton most likely wrote its final two volumes, rather than the Continuator of Knighton who had previously been suggested. Galbraith took retirement in 1957, and on 25 November 1976 he died at his home, 20A Bradmore Road, Oxford.
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
(15 December 1889 – 25 November 1976) was an English historian, Fellow of the British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
and Oxford Regius Professor of Modern History
Regius Professor of Modern History (Oxford)
The Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford is an old-established professorial position. The first appointment was made in 1724...
.
Early career
V. H. H. Galbraith was born on 15 December 1889 in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, the son of David Galbraith, a secretary at the steelworks in Hadfield, and Eliza Davidson McIntosh. He moved with his family to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and was educated at Highgate School
Highgate 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...
from 1902 to 1906. The family then moved to Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, where he attended university from 1907 where, amongst his lecturers were Maurice Powicke
F. M. Powicke
Sir Frederick Maurice Powicke was an English medieval historian. He was a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford, delivered the Ford Lectures in 1927, and from 1929 was Regius Professor of History at Oxford. He was knighted in 1946....
, Thomas Frederick Tout
Thomas Frederick Tout
Thomas Frederick Tout, F.B.A. was a 19th- and 20th-century British historian of the medieval period.-Early life:...
and James Tait, with this first hand experience, Galbraith later wrote Tout and Tait's articles for the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
. He received a first class 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...
at Manchester University in 1910 and won a Brackenbury scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
. At Oxford, he won the Stanhope prize
Stanhope essay prize
The Stanhope essay prize was an undergraduate history essay prize created at Balliol College, Oxford by Philip Henry Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope in 1855.Notable winners include*Arthur Francis Leach * Charles Harding Firth , British historian...
in 1911 with an essay on the chronicles of St Albans
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
, achieved a third class in literae humaniores in 1913, and a first class in modern history in 1914.
Galbraith became the Langton research fellow at Manchester University and began studying the records of the abbey in Bury St Edmunds
Bury St. Edmunds Abbey
The Abbey of Bury St Edmunds was once among the richest Benedictine monasteries in England. Its ruins lie in Bury St Edmunds, a town in the county of Suffolk, England.-History:...
. Ater the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he enlisted in January 1915 and served as a company commander in the Queen's Regiment and was awarded the Croix de guerre avec palme
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
for his courage in Palestine in 1917 and France in 1918.
In January 1919, Galbraith resumed the academic life, initially as a temporary lecturer at Manchester, and then continuing with his former research on a renewed Langton research fellowship, whilst living in London. He joined the Public Record Office
Public Record Office
The Public Record Office of the United Kingdom is one of the three organisations that make up the National Archives...
in January 1921 as an assistant keeper, allowing him daily access to records about English medieval government. At this time he started work on editing an edition of the Anonimalle chronicle of St Mary's, York, published in 1927. In June 1921 he married Georgina Rosalie, daughter of Lyster Cole-Baker MD. She was a medieval historian whom he had met at Manchester.
Return to Oxford
In 1928 Galbraith succeeded Reginald Poole as lecturer in diplomatic and was elected a tutorial fellow of Balliol. Between pursuing his teaching, lecturing, discussion, and golfing he continued working on chronicles and charters, including the St Albans chronicle 1406–20, published in 1937. Before the end of the year, he took up the professorship of history at Edinburgh University, and in 1939 he was elected a fellow of the British AcademyBritish Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
, in 1940 he was elected Ford's lecturer.
Galbraith succeeded Albert Frederick Pollard as director of the Institute of Historical Research
Institute of Historical Research
The Institute of Historical Research is a British educational organisation providing resources and training for historical researchers. It is part of the School of Advanced Study in the University of London and is located at Senate House. The Institute was founded in 1921 by A. F...
in 1944. That same year, in his lecture entitled "Good Kings and Bad Kings in Medieval History", he challenged the overall reliance of historians on the chroniclers whose works were often emotional judgments than constructive criticisms of contemporary figures. He concluded that William Rufus and King John
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
were more misrepresented than any other monarch due to conflict with the clerical hierarchy.
In January 1948, Galbraith succeeded Sir Maurice Powicke as Regius Professor of Modern History
Regius Professor of Modern History (Oxford)
The Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford is an old-established professorial position. The first appointment was made in 1724...
. He was elected an honorary fellow
Honorary title (academic)
Honorary titles in academia may be conferred on persons in recognition of contributions by a non-employee or by an employee beyond regular duties...
of Balliol in 1957, and of Oriel in 1958.
Galbraith's works include a reappraisal of the purpose of Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
, a series of critically edited texts and translations of medieval sources, his works between 1942 and 1974 resulting in Domesday Book: Its Place in Administrative History, published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
on 23 January 1975. His 1957 essay on the structure of Henry Knighton's Chronicle successfully proved that Knighton most likely wrote its final two volumes, rather than the Continuator of Knighton who had previously been suggested. Galbraith took retirement in 1957, and on 25 November 1976 he died at his home, 20A Bradmore Road, Oxford.