Claude Elliott (schoolmaster): Difference between revisions

Claude Elliott
Claude Elliott
Provost of Eton
	In office; 1949–1965
Preceded by	Henry Marten
Succeeded by	Harold Caccia, Baron Caccia
Head Master of Eton College
	In office; 1933–1944
Preceded by	Cyril Alington
Succeeded by	Robert Birley
Personal details
Born	Claude Aurelius Elliott; 27 July 1888; British India
Died	21 November 1972 (aged 84); Gatesgarth, Buttermere, England
Spouse	Gillian Bloxam
Children	Nicholas Elliott

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Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott OBE (27 July 1888 – 21 November 1973) was an English schoolmaster who became head master of Eton College at Windsor in Berkshire, and was later provost at the same school. An element of this later appointment is said to have been to keep an eye on his successor Robert Birley.^[1]

Early life[edit]

Elliott was born in India, the only child of Sir Charles Alfred Elliott (1835–1911), the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, and his second wife, Alice Louisa. Sir Charles had three sons and a daughter from a previous marriage. From Rokeby School, Claude Elliott was elected a King's Scholar of Eton College in 1902. He had an undistinguished scholastic career at Eton, but on going up to Trinity College, Cambridge, he discovered a natural bent as an historian, taking his BA in 1909, and becoming a fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge in 1910, and a Tutor in 1914.^{[citation needed]}

On 17 June 1913, he married Gillian (d. 1966), the daughter of Frederick Turner Bloxam, chief Chancery Registrar, with whom he had a son, Nicholas Elliott (1916–1994), who worked in Military Intelligence during and after the Second World War, and who was awarded the US Legion of Merit for his services to the Office of Strategic Services.^[2]

First World War[edit]

As a boy, Elliott enjoyed mountaineering, which interest he practised in Britain, Switzerland, and France, hoping one day to climb the Caucasus and the Himalayas, but he was prevented from pursuing this by a fall in the Lake District in 1912, which broke his kneecap and damaged his hand. These injuries did not stop him climbing, but they prevented active service in the First World War. Instead, Elliott served in a Red Cross unit in Flanders in 1915, after which he spent the remainder of the War at the Admiralty, being appointed OBE in 1920 for his War service. After the War he returned to Jesus College, where he served on the university's Financial Board, the General Board, and the Council of Senate.^[3]

Eton College[edit]

Elliott was head master of Eton College from 1933 to 1949.^[4] His had been an unlikely selection. For example, he was the first head master of Eton who was not in holy orders, and neither his preaching in chapel nor his teaching in school were as impressive as those of his charismatic predecessor, Cyril Alington. However, he was an effective headmaster who was respected by the school's governing body for his sound judgement and his administrative skill. He was known to his students as "The Emperor",^[5] because of his imposing presence and his coolness towards the majority of his pupils. Elliott made no significant change to the school, believing that the selection of good and effective teachers was the school's best way forward.

During World War II, some parents suggested that Eton should be moved to a location safe from the bombs of the enemy. If London's poor could not move from London, said Elliott, the Etonians would not move from Eton. Later, in 1940, two bombs did actually fall on Eton, only just missing a library full of studying boys, but this only made him more determined to stand firm. Elliott never did move the school.^[2]

In 1949, after sixteen years as head master, Elliott was appointed Eton College's provost, a post he held until 1965. During his fifteen years as provost he launched an appeal to rebuild and modernise the college. He was responsible for the replacement of the shattered glass in the chapel windows with designs by Evie Hone and John Piper. As provost it was said that he had done more for the fabric of the school than any of his predecessors for five centuries.^[6]

Later years[edit]

On his retirement, Elliott continued mountaineering, living in Buttermere where he could see the mountains he loved so well. He was personally acquainted with all the famous climbers of his time. He made forty visits to the Alps, and numerous other expeditions in Wales, the Lake District and Skye. Had it not been for his earlier climbing injuries he would have taken part in the Everest expeditions of 1921–1924. Elliott was president of the Alpine Club from 1950 to 1952. in that capacity, he selected John Hunt to lead the successful 1953 Everest expedition.^[3]

Elliott was a successful oarsman, being a member of the Leander Club. He was knighted in 1958. He died at his home, Lower Gatesgarth, Buttermere, on 21 November 1973 aged 85.^{[citation needed]}

References[edit]

^ Routledge, Norman. "The Eton Headmaster – 'Red' Robert Birley". Web of Stories – Life Stories of Remarkable People. YouTube. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
^ ^a ^b D. H. Macindoe, ‘Elliott, Sir Claude Aurelius (1888–1973)’, rev., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press (2004).
^ ^a ^b The Times, Obituary, 24 November 1973.
^ "Head Masters of Eton since 1442". Eton College. 5 January 2002. Archived from the original on 5 January 2002. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
^ "The Emperor Abdicates". Time. 3 January 1949. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.
^ The Times, 10 December 1973.

External links[edit]

Academic offices
Preceded by Cyril Alington	Head Master of Eton College 1933–1949	Succeeded by Robert Birley
Preceded by Henry Marten	Provost of Eton 1949–1965	Succeeded by Harold Caccia, Baron Caccia

[Routledge-1] Routledge, Norman. "The Eton Headmaster – 'Red' Robert Birley". Web of Stories – Life Stories of Remarkable People. YouTube. Retrieved 15 April 2020.

[mac-2] D. H. Macindoe, ‘Elliott, Sir Claude Aurelius (1888–1973)’, rev., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press (2004).

[ReferenceA-3] The Times, Obituary, 24 November 1973.

[4] "Head Masters of Eton since 1442". Eton College. 5 January 2002. Archived from the original on 5 January 2002. Retrieved 15 April 2020.

[5] "The Emperor Abdicates". Time. 3 January 1949. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012.

[6] The Times, 10 December 1973.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|English schoolmaster}}
-'''Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott''' [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]], [[Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)|MA]], (27 July 1888 - 21 November 1973) was Head Master of [[Eton College]] at [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] in [[Berkshire]], and was later [[Provost (education)|Provost]] at the same school.
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
+{{Infobox officeholder
+| name         = Claude Elliott
+| office       = [[Provost of Eton]]
+| term_start   = 1949
+| term_end     = 1965
+| predecessor  = [[Henry Marten (educator)|Henry Marten]]
+| successor    = [[Harold Caccia, Baron Caccia]]
+| office1      = [[Head Master of Eton College]]
+| term_start1  = 1933
+| term_end1    = 1944
+| predecessor1 = [[Cyril Alington]]
+| successor1   = [[Robert Birley]]
+| birth_name   = Claude Aurelius Elliott
+| birth_date   = {{birth date|1888|07|27|df=y}}
+| birth_place  = [[British India]]
+| death_date   = {{death date and age|1972|11|21|1888|07|27|df=y}}
+| death_place  = [[Gatesgarth]], [[Buttermere]], [[England]]
+| children     = [[Nicholas Elliott]]
+| spouse       = Gillian Bloxam
+}}
+'''Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott''' [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (27 July 1888 – 21 November 1973) was an English [[schoolmaster]] who became head master of [[Eton College]] at [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] in [[Berkshire]], and was later [[Provost (education)|provost]] at the same school. An element of this later appointment is said to have been to keep an eye on his successor [[Robert Birley]].<ref name="Routledge">{{cite web| last=Routledge | first=Norman | author-link=Norman Routledge | title=The Eton Headmaster – 'Red' Robert Birley | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f47GnFbgLaU | work=Web of Stories – Life Stories of Remarkable People | publisher=[[YouTube]] | accessdate=15 April 2020 }}</ref>
 ==Early life==
-Elliott was born in [[India]], the only child of [[Charles Alfred Elliott|Sir Charles Alfred Elliott]] (1835–1911), the Lieutenant Governor of [[Bengal]], and his second wife, Alice Louisa. Sir Charles had three sons and a daughter from a previous marriage. From [[Rokeby Preparatory School|Rokeby School]], Claude Elliott was elected a [[King's Scholar]] of [[Eton College]] in 1902. He had an undistinguished scholastic career at Eton, but on going up to [[Trinity College, Cambridge]], he discovered a natural bent as an [[historian]], taking his [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in 1909, and becoming a [[Fellow]] of [[Jesus College, Cambridge]] in 1910, and a [[Tutor]] in 1914. On 17 June 1913 he married Gillian (d. 1966), the daughter of Frederick Turner Bloxam, chief Chancery Registrar, with whom he had a son, [[John Nicholas Rede Elliott]] (1916–1994), who worked in [[Military Intelligence]] during and after the [[Second World War]], and who was awarded the [[United States|US]] [[Legion of Merit]] for his services to the Office of Strategic Services.<ref name=mac>D. H. Macindoe, ‘Elliott, Sir Claude Aurelius (1888–1973)’, rev., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, (2004)</ref>
+Elliott was born in [[India]], the only child of [[Charles Alfred Elliott|Sir Charles Alfred Elliott]] (1835–1911), the Lieutenant Governor of [[Bengal]], and his second wife, Alice Louisa. Sir Charles had three sons and a daughter from a previous marriage. From [[Rokeby Preparatory School|Rokeby School]], Claude Elliott was elected a [[King's Scholar]] of [[Eton College]] in 1902. He had an undistinguished scholastic career at Eton, but on going up to [[Trinity College, Cambridge]], he discovered a natural bent as an [[historian]], taking his [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in 1909, and becoming a [[fellow]] of [[Jesus College, Cambridge]] in 1910, and a [[Tutor]] in 1914.{{cn|date=January 2023}}
+On 17 June 1913, he married Gillian (d. 1966), the daughter of Frederick Turner Bloxam, chief Chancery Registrar, with whom he had a son, [[Nicholas Elliott]] (1916–1994), who worked in [[Military Intelligence]] during and after the [[Second World War]], and who was awarded the [[United States|US]] [[Legion of Merit]] for his services to the Office of Strategic Services.<ref name=mac>D. H. Macindoe, ‘Elliott, Sir Claude Aurelius (1888–1973)’, rev., [[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]], [[Oxford University Press]] (2004).</ref>
 ==First World War==
-As a boy Elliott enjoyed [[mountaineering]], which interest he practised in [[UK|Britain]], [[Switzerland]], and [[France]], hoping one day to climb the [[Caucasus]] and the [[Himalayas]], but he was prevented from pursuing this by a fall in the [[Lake District]] in 1912 which broke his kneecap and damaged his hand. These injuries did not stop him climbing, but they prevented active service in the [[First World War]]. Instead, Elliott served in a [[Red Cross]] unit in [[Flanders]] in 1915, after which he spent the remainder of the War at the [[Admiralty]], being appointed [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] in 1920 for his War service. After the War he returned to Jesus College, where he served on the University's Financial Board, the General Board, and the Council of Senate.<ref name="ReferenceA">'The Times' Obituary 24 November 1973</ref>
+As a boy, Elliott enjoyed [[mountaineering]], which interest he practised in [[United Kingdom|Britain]], [[Switzerland]], and [[France]], hoping one day to climb the [[Caucasus]] and the [[Himalayas]], but he was prevented from pursuing this by a fall in the [[Lake District]] in 1912, which broke his kneecap and damaged his hand. These injuries did not stop him climbing, but they prevented active service in the [[First World War]]. Instead, Elliott served in a [[Red Cross]] unit in [[Flanders]] in 1915, after which he spent the remainder of the War at the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]], being appointed [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] in 1920 for his War service. After the War he returned to Jesus College, where he served on the university's Financial Board, the General Board, and the Council of Senate.<ref name="ReferenceA">''[[The Times]]'', Obituary, 24 November 1973.</ref>
 ==Eton College==
-Elliott was Head Master of [[Eton College]] from 1933 to 1949.<ref>[http://www.etoncollege.com/eton.asp?di=1361 Eton College List of Headmasters]</ref> His had been an unlikely selection. For example, he was the first Head Master of Eton who was not in [[holy orders]], and neither his preaching in chapel nor his teaching in school were as impressive as those of his [[charisma]]tic predecessor. However, he was an effective Headmaster who was respected by the school's governing body for his sound judgement and his administrative skill. He was known to his students as 'The Emperor'<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,799627,00.html?iid=chix-sphere ''[[Time Magazine]]'' 'The Emperor Abdicates' January 3, 1949]</ref> because of his imposing presence and his coolness towards the majority of his pupils. Elliott made no significant changes to the school, believing that the selection of good and effective teachers as masters was the school's best way forward.
+Elliott was head master of [[Eton College]] from 1933 to 1949.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.etoncollege.com/eton.asp?di=1361 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020105070650/http://www.etoncollege.com/eton.asp?di=1361 | url-status=dead | archive-date=5 January 2002 | title=Head Masters of Eton since 1442 | work=[[Eton College]] | date=5 January 2002 | accessdate=15 April 2020 }}</ref> His had been an unlikely selection. For example, he was the first head master of Eton who was not in [[holy orders]], and neither his preaching in chapel nor his teaching in school were as impressive as those of his [[charisma]]tic predecessor, [[Cyril Alington]]. However, he was an effective headmaster who was respected by the school's governing body for his sound judgement and his administrative skill. He was known to his students as "The Emperor",<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,799627,00.html?iid=chix-sphere | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023134933/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,799627,00.html?iid=chix-sphere | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 23, 2012 | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | title=The Emperor Abdicates | date=January 3, 1949 }}</ref> because of his imposing presence and his coolness towards the majority of his pupils. Elliott made no significant change to the school, believing that the selection of good and effective teachers was the school's best way forward.
-During [[World War II]] some parents suggested that Eton should be moved to a location safe from the bombs of the enemy. If London's poor could not move from London, said Elliott, the Etonians would not move from Eton. Later, in 1940, two bombs did actually fall on Eton, only just missing a library full of studying boys, but this only made him more determined to stand firm. Elliott never did move the school.<ref name=mac/>
+During [[World War II]], some parents suggested that Eton should be moved to a location safe from the bombs of the enemy. If London's poor could not move from London, said Elliott, the Etonians would not move from Eton. Later, in 1940, two bombs did actually fall on Eton, only just missing a library full of studying boys, but this only made him more determined to stand firm. Elliott never did move the school.<ref name=mac/>
-In 1949, after sixteen years as Head Master, Elliott was appointed Eton College's [[List of Provosts of Eton College|Provost]], a post he held until 1965. During his fifteen years as Provost he launched an appeal to rebuild and modernise the College. He was responsible for the replacement of the shattered glass in the chapel windows with designs by [[Evie Hone]] and [[John Piper (artist)|John Piper]]. As Provost it was said that he had done more for the fabric of the school than any of his predecessors for five centuries.<ref>'The Times' 10 December 1973</ref>
+In 1949, after sixteen years as head master, Elliott was appointed Eton College's [[List of provosts of Eton College|provost]], a post he held until 1965. During his fifteen years as provost he launched an appeal to rebuild and modernise the college. He was responsible for the replacement of the shattered glass in the chapel windows with designs by [[Evie Hone]] and [[John Piper (artist)|John Piper]]. As provost it was said that he had done more for the fabric of the school than any of his predecessors for five centuries.<ref>''[[The Times]]'', 10 December 1973.</ref>
 ==Later years==
-On his retirement Elliott continued mountaineering, living in [[Buttermere]] where he could see the mountains he loved so well. He was personally acquainted with all the famous climbers of his time. He made forty visits to the [[Alps]], and numerous other expeditions in [[Wales]], the [[Lake District]] and [[Skye]]. If it had not been for his earlier climbing injuries he would have taken part in the [[Everest]] expeditions of 1921 to 1924. Elliott was President of the [[Alpine Club (UK)|Alpine Club]] from 1950 to 1952. in that capacity, he selected [[John Hunt, Baron Hunt|John Hunt]] to lead the successful 1953 Everest expedition.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
+On his retirement, Elliott continued mountaineering, living in [[Buttermere]] where he could see the mountains he loved so well. He was personally acquainted with all the famous climbers of his time. He made forty visits to the [[Alps]], and numerous other expeditions in [[Wales]], the [[Lake District]] and [[Skye]]. Had it not been for his earlier climbing injuries he would have taken part in the [[Everest]] expeditions of 1921–1924. Elliott was president of the [[Alpine Club (UK)|Alpine Club]] from 1950 to 1952. in that capacity, he selected [[John Hunt, Baron Hunt|John Hunt]] to lead the successful 1953 Everest expedition.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
-Elliott was also a successful oarsman, being a member of the [[Leander Club]]. He died at his home, Lower Gatesgarth, Buttermere, on 21 November 1973.
+Elliott was a successful oarsman, being a member of the [[Leander Club]]. He was [[Knight Bachelor|knighted]] in 1958. He died at his home, Lower [[Gatesgarth]], Buttermere, on 21 November 1973 aged 85.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}
-Claude Aurelius Elliott was [[Knight Bachelor|Knighted]] in 1958.
 ==References==
@@ Line 25: / Line 48: @@
 ==External links==
-*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/subjectView.asp?ID=P35493 Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott on the] [[National Archives]]
+*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/subjectView.asp?ID=P35493 Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott on the] [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|National Archives]]
-*[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,849004-1,00.html Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott in 'Time Magazine' 1965]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121023135020/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,849004-1,00.html Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott in ''Time'' 1965]
-*[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,756776,00.html Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott in 'Time Magazine' 1936]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081215102134/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,756776,00.html Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott in ''Time'' 1936]
 {{s-start}}
@@ Line 33: / Line 56: @@
 {{succession box
 ||before=[[Cyril Alington]]
-|title=[[List of headmasters at Eton College|Head master of Eton College]]
+|title=[[List of headmasters at Eton College|Head Master of Eton College]]
 |years=1933–1949
 |after=[[Robert Birley]]}}
-{{succession box | title=[[Provost of Eton]] | before=[[Henry Marten (educator)|Henry Marten]] | after=[[Harold Caccia, Baron Caccia]] | years=1949&ndash;1965}}
+{{succession box | title=[[Provost of Eton]] | before=[[Henry Marten (educator)|Henry Marten]] | after=[[Harold Caccia, Baron Caccia]] | years=1949–1965}}
 {{s-end}}
+{{Eton Head Masters}}
+{{Provosts of Eton College}}
 {{Authority control}}
-{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
-| NAME              = Elliott, Claude Aurelius
-| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
-| SHORT DESCRIPTION = President of the Alpine Club
-| DATE OF BIRTH     = 27 July 1888
-| PLACE OF BIRTH    =
-| DATE OF DEATH     = 21 November 1973
-| PLACE OF DEATH    =
-}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Elliott, Claude Aurelius}}
 [[Category:1888 births]]
 [[Category:1973 deaths]]
-[[Category:English schoolteachers]]
+[[Category:Indian people of British descent]]<!-- birth -->
 [[Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge]]
 [[Category:Knights Bachelor]]
 [[Category:Presidents of the Alpine Club (UK)]]
+[[Category:English mountain climbers]]
 [[Category:Head Masters of Eton College]]
+[[Category:People educated at Eton College]]
 [[Category:Fellows of Jesus College, Cambridge]]
 [[Category:Members of Leander Club]]
+[[Category:English male rowers]]
+[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
+[[Category:Eton King's Scholars]]
+[[Category:Provosts of Eton College]]

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