George Holmes (professor)
Encyclopedia
George Arthur Holmes FBA (born 22 April 1927 in Aberystwth–died 29 January 2009) was Chichele Professor of Medieval History
at the University of Oxford
, and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
, 1989-94.
at St. Catherine's Society. When the University granted that Society full collegiate status, he became one of the founding Fellows of St Catherine's College, Oxford
at its foundation in 1962. In 1967-68, Holmes spent a year at Princeton University
. At St Catherine's, he played an important role in establishing the academic credentials of the College, serving in a variety of College positions including vice-master in 1969-1971.
From 1974 to 1980, he edited the English Historical Review. Elected a Fellow of the British Academy
in 1985, he also served for many years as Delegate to Oxford University Press
.
In 1993, the British Academy
awarded Holmes its Serena Medal for Italian studies.
Chichele Professor of Medieval History
The position of Chichele Professor of Medieval History is one of the statutory Chichele Professorships established at All Souls College, Oxford. This position was originally established in 1862 for the Chichele Professor of Modern History.-Professors:...
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
All Souls College, Oxford
The Warden and the College of the Souls of all Faithful People deceased in the University of Oxford or All Souls College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England....
, 1989-94.
Family, early life, and education
The son of a watchmaker, Holmes was educated at Ardwyn County School and University College, Aberystwyth. He went on to Cambridge University for graduate study under M. M. Postan. In 1953, he married Helen Lewis, a scholar of 19th century French literary culture. The couple had two sons and two daughters.Academic career
In 1951, St. John's College, Cambridge elected Holmes to a research fellowship. After having a year abroad at the University of Göttingen, in 1952-53, he moved to Oxford in 1954, where he became Tutor in Modern HistoryModern 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 St. Catherine's Society. When the University granted that Society full collegiate status, he became one of the founding Fellows of St Catherine's College, Oxford
St Catherine's College, Oxford
St Catherine's College, often called Catz, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its motto is Nova et Vetera...
at its foundation in 1962. In 1967-68, Holmes spent a year at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
. At St Catherine's, he played an important role in establishing the academic credentials of the College, serving in a variety of College positions including vice-master in 1969-1971.
From 1974 to 1980, he edited the English Historical Review. Elected a 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...
in 1985, he also served for many years as Delegate to 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...
.
In 1993, 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...
awarded Holmes its Serena Medal for Italian studies.
Published works
- The estates of the higher nobility in fourteenth-century England. Cambridge studies in economic history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1957.
- The later Middle Ages, 1272-1485. Edinburgh: T. Nelson, [1962]; London: Sphere Books, 1970; London: Cardinal, 1974.
- The Florentine enlightenment 1400-1450. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1969; Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1992.
- The Oxford history of medieval Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992, 2001.
- Europe: hierarchy and revolt, 1320-1450 London: Fontana/Collins, 1975; Oxford: Blackwell, 2000.
- The good parliament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1975.
- Dante. Past Masters series. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980.
- Florence, Rome and the origins of the Renaissance. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986, 1988.
- The Oxford illustrated history of medieval Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988, 1990, 2001.
- The first age of the western city, 1300-1500: an inaugural lecture delivered before the University of Oxford on 8 November 1989. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990.
- Art and politics in Renaissance Italy: British Academy lectures, selected and introduced by George Holmes. Oxford: Published for the British Academy by Oxford University Press, 1993, 1995.
- Renaissance. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1996; London: Phoenix Illustrated, 1998.
- The Oxford illustrated history of Italy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997, 2001.