James McFarlane
Encyclopedia
James Walter McFarlane was a scholar of European literature
, author of The Oxford Ibsen
, and founding Dean of the School of European Studies at University of East Anglia
which specialised in Scandinavian studies
.
. His Oxford degree in modern languages, interrupted by war while he served in Europe in the Intelligence Corps, was completed in 1947. During the war he played association football for Sunderland A.F.C.
.
His first appointment was as lecturer at Durham University
in 1947, in the department of German and Scandinavian studies at King's College. (In 1963, this became Newcastle University) Here he encountered the likes of Harald Naess and Ake Leander.
's works, many of which were his own. Graham Orton is credited as an editor and translation. Other contributors included Johan Fillinger, Christopher Fry
and James Kirkup
.
Volumes
As a result of this work, McFarlane was also appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, and made a member of Danish and Norwegian academies.
Between 1968 and 1971 he was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
. In 1974 he became the editor of the journal Scandinavica
.
In 1982 he retired, however he remained active as a Professorial Fellow until 1986.
In his retirement he established and built his own press, Norvik Press, with the assistance of Janet Garton and Michael Robinson
, to publish translations and commentary of Scandinavian literature.
In 1991 he retired from editor of Scandinavica.
Kathleen had a distinguished career in weaving, and died in 2008, survived by their daughter and two sons.
European literature
European literature refers to the literature of Europe.European literature includes literature in many languages; among the most important of the modern written works are those in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Polish, German, Italian, Modern Greek, Czech and Russian and works by the...
, author of The Oxford Ibsen
The Oxford Ibsen
The Oxford Ibsen is to date the most authorized, English translation of the playwright Henrik Ibsen's collected works. It is an important edition as the releases of Henrik Ibsen's plays usually are translated into third languages through The Oxford Ibsen, and rather seldom from the original...
, and founding Dean of the School of European Studies at University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
which specialised in Scandinavian studies
Scandinavian studies
Scandinavian studies is an interdisciplinary academic field of area studies that covers topics related to Scandinavia and the Nordic countries, including their languages, literature, history, culture and society, in countries other than these. As described in the article on Scandinavia, that name...
.
Early years
McFarlane grew up in Sunderland and attended Bede Grammar School, and then went to St Catherine's College, OxfordSt 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...
. His Oxford degree in modern languages, interrupted by war while he served in Europe in the Intelligence Corps, was completed in 1947. During the war he played association football for Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
.
His first appointment was as lecturer at Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
in 1947, in the department of German and Scandinavian studies at King's College. (In 1963, this became Newcastle University) Here he encountered the likes of Harald Naess and Ake Leander.
Oxford Ibsen
Between 1960 and 1977 he edited the eight volumes of The Oxford Ibsen (OI), consisting of translations of Henrik IbsenHenrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen was a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet. He is often referred to as "the father of prose drama" and is one of the founders of Modernism in the theatre...
's works, many of which were his own. Graham Orton is credited as an editor and translation. Other contributors included Johan Fillinger, Christopher Fry
Christopher Fry
Christopher Fry was an English playwright. He is best known for his verse dramas, notably The Lady's Not for Burning, which made him a major force in theatre in the 1940s and 1950s.-Early life:...
and James Kirkup
James Kirkup
James Falconer Kirkup, FRSL was a prolific English poet, translator and travel writer. He was brought up in South Shields, and educated at South Shields Secondary School and Durham University. He wrote over 30 books, including autobiographies, novels and plays...
.
Volumes
- 1970: Early plays
- 1962: The Vikings at HelgelandThe Vikings at HelgelandThe Vikings at Helgeland is Henrik Ibsen's seventh play.The Vikings at Helgeland was written during 1857 and first performed at Christiania Norske Theater in Oslo on 24 November 1858. The scenes take place during the time of Erik Blood-axe in the north of Norway in historic Helgeland...
, Love's ComedyLove's ComedyLove's Comedy is a comedy by Henrik Ibsen. It was first published on 31 December 1862. As a result of being branded an "immoral" work in the press, the Christiania Theatre would not dare to stage it at first...
, The PretendersThe PretendersThe Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers... - 1972: BrandBrandThe American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
; Peer GyntPeer GyntPeer Gynt is a five-act play in verse by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen, loosely based on the fairy tale Per Gynt. It is the most widely performed Norwegian play. According to Klaus Van Den Berg, the "cinematic script blends poetry with social satire and realistic scenes with surreal ones"... - 1963: The League of YouthThe League of YouthThe League of Youth is a play by Henrik Ibsen finished in early May 1869. It was Ibsen's first play in colloquial prose and marks a turning point in his style towards realism and away from verse. It was widely considered Ibsen's most popular play in nineteenth-century Norway...
, Emperor and GalileanEmperor and GalileanEmperor and Galilean is a play written by Henrik Ibsen. Although it is one of the writer’s lesser known plays, on several occasions Henrik Ibsen called Emperor and Galilean his major work... - 1961: Pillars of society; A Doll's HouseA Doll's HouseA Doll's House is a three-act play in prose by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It premièred at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 21 December 1879, having been published earlier that month....
; Ghosts - 1960: An Enemy of the PeopleAn Enemy of the PeopleAn Enemy of the People is an 1882 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen wrote it in response to the public outcry against his play Ghosts, which at that time was considered scandalous...
; The Wild DuckThe Wild DuckThe Wild Duck is an 1884 play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.-Plot:The first act opens with a dinner party hosted by Håkon Werle, a wealthy merchant and industrialist. The gathering is attended by his son, Gregers Werle, who has just returned to his father's home following a self-imposed...
; RosmersholmRosmersholmRosmersholm is a play written in 1886 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. In the estimation of many critics the piece is Ibsen's masterwork, only equalled by The Wild Duck of 1884... - 1966: Lady From the Sea; Hedda GablerHedda GablerHedda Gabler is a play first published in 1890 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. The play premiered in 1891 in Germany to negative reviews, but has subsequently gained recognition as a classic of realism, nineteenth century theatre, and world drama...
, the Master BuilderThe Master BuilderThe Master Builder is a play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It was first published in December 1892 and is regarded as one of Ibsen's most significant and revealing works.-Performance:... - 1977: Little EyolfLittle EyolfLittle Eyolf is an 1894 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. The play was first performed on January 12, 1895 in the Deutsches Theater in Berlin.-Plot:...
; John Gabriel BorkmanJohn Gabriel BorkmanJohn Gabriel Borkman is the penultimate composition of the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, written in 1896.-Plot:The Borkman family fortunes have been brought low by the imprisonment of John Gabriel who used his position as a bank manager to illegally speculate with his investors' money...
; When We Dead AwakenWhen We Dead AwakenWhen We Dead Awaken is the last play written by Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen. Published in December 1899, Ibsen wrote the play between February and November of that year. The first performance was at the Haymarket Theatre in London, a day or two before publication.-Plot summary:The first act...
As a result of this work, McFarlane was also appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, and made a member of Danish and Norwegian academies.
University of East Anglia
McFarlane moved to Norwich, and in 1964 he was appointed Chair of European Literature at the newly established University of East Anglia, and founding dean of the school of European studies.Between 1968 and 1971 he was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Pro-Vice-Chancellor
In a university, an assistant to a vice-chancellor is called a pro-vice-chancellor . These are sometimes teaching academics who take on additional responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities are in charge of Administration, Research and Development, Academic and Education affairs...
. In 1974 he became the editor of the journal Scandinavica
Scandinavica (journal)
Scandinavica : an international journal of Scandinavian studies is a semiannual academic journal of Scandinavian studies first published in May 1962. The editor is Claire Thomson, lecturer in Scandinavian Film and Head of Department of University College London Scandinavian Studies.James McFarlane...
.
In 1982 he retired, however he remained active as a Professorial Fellow until 1986.
In his retirement he established and built his own press, Norvik Press, with the assistance of Janet Garton and Michael Robinson
Michael Robinson
Michael John Robinson is a former England-born Irish international footballer, who played as a striker.Having played in more than 300 official games in England for five different clubs, including Liverpool, he played the last three seasons of his career in Spain with Osasuna...
, to publish translations and commentary of Scandinavian literature.
In 1991 he retired from editor of Scandinavica.
Community life
He married Kathleen Crouch in 1944. They were both active in the community, with James acting as:- member of council for the Eastern Arts Association
- Chairman of the BBC Regional Advisory Board
- Chairman of the Wells Arts Centre
- Chairman of the Hunsworth Crafts Trust
- a director of the Norwich Puppet TheatreNorwich Puppet TheatreThe Norwich Puppet Theatre is a nationally unique venue dedicated to puppetry housed in the Medieval church of Saint James a Grade 1 listed building, in the city of Norwich, England....
Kathleen had a distinguished career in weaving, and died in 2008, survived by their daughter and two sons.
External links
- Oxford-Ibsen, Open LibraryOpen LibraryOpen Library is an online project intended to create “one web page for every book ever published”. Open Library is a project of the non-profit Internet Archive and has been funded in part by a grant from the California State Library and the Kahle/Austin Foundation.-Books for the blind and...
- Nordic Press