Robert Blake, Baron Blake

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Robert Norman William Blake, Baron Blake FBA FRSL JP (* 23. December 1916 in Brundall , Norfolk , † 20th September 2003 in Norwich , Norfolk) was a British historian and university professor , who in 1971 as a Life Peer due to the Life Peerages Act 1958 Member of the House of Lords . Blake dealt in particular with the history of Great Britain since the 19th century as well as with the Conservative Party and its party leaders.

Life

Officer in World War II, university professor and local politician

After visiting the King Edward VI's Grammar School in Norwich graduated Blake studying History at Magdalen College of the University of Oxford , which he with a Master of Arts (MA History) as well as a Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) Graduated. After the beginning of the Second World War , he began his military service before he was taken prisoner of war in Germany in 1942 , from which he was able to escape in 1944. For his military services he was mentioned in the war report ( Mentioned in Despatches ) and was most recently promoted to captain of the Royal Artillery .

After the end of the war, Blake began working as a lecturer in history at Christ Church at the University of Oxford in 1946 and worked there until his retirement in 1987. Between 1950 and 1955 he was censor of Christ Church and 1959 to 1960 university professor. He was also a member of the Weekly Council ( Hebdominal Council ) of this college between 1959 and 1981 .

Blake was also involved in local politics for the Conservative Party and was a member of Oxford City Council between 1957 and 1964 .

University official and upper house member

He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1966 and a Fellow of the British Academy in 1967 . Blake served between as Provost of Queen's College , University of Oxford. In 1971 he became Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford and held this university office until 1987.

By a Letters Patent of May 17, 1971, Blake, who temporarily as justices of the peace ( Justice of Peace acted) as a life peer with the title Baron Blake , of Braydeston on the Norfolk in the peerage collected and at the same time a member of the House of Lords.

In 1972 the University of Glasgow and 1983 the University of East Anglia awarded him an honorary doctorate in literary studies (Hon. D.Litt.). In addition, he was co-editor of the Dictionary of National Biography from 1980 to 1990 and chairman of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts from 1982 to 1989 and chairman of the Rhodes Foundation from 1983 to 1987 . He was also chairman of the Electoral Reform Society between 1986 and 1993 .

In 1987 Baron Blake ran for the office of Chancellor of the University of Oxford against former President of the European Commission Roy Jenkins and former Prime Minister Edward Heath . Blake, who received 2348 votes, was defeated by Jenkins, who got 2923 votes, while Heath was only third.

Further honorary doctorates in literary studies were awarded to him in 1987 from Westminster College in Fulton (Missouri) and in 1988 from the University of Buckingham . He was also High Bailiff and Searcher of the Sanctuary at Westminster Abbey from 1988 until his replacement by Bernard Weatherill in 1989 . He last held the position of high steward between 1989 and 1999 .

Publications

In his numerous books Blake dealt in particular with the history of Great Britain since the 19th century as well as with politicians and statesmen of that era. One of its main subjects was the history of the Conservative Tories and their leaders. His edited publication of Douglas Haig's estate documents restored his reputation. At the invitation of Lord Beaverbrook , he then wrote the biography of Andrew Bonar Laws . In 1966 his most famous work followed, the biography of Benjamin Disraeli , which is still considered the standard work and the best biography of a British Prime Minister at all. Among other things, he wrote a history of the Conservative Party, which he later presented again in an updated and expanded version:

  • The Private Papers of Douglas Haig. , 1952
  • The Unknown Prime Minister. The Life and Times of Andrew Bonar Law, 1858-1923. London 1955.
  • Disraeli. London 1966.
  • The Conservative Party from Peel to Churchill. London 1970.
  • The Office of the Prime Minister. London 1975.
  • A History of Rhodesia. London 1977.
  • Disraeli's Grand Tour: Benjamin Disraeli and the Holy Land, 1830-31 London 1982.
  • The English world: history, character and people. London 1982.
  • The Decline of Power 1915-1964. London 1985
  • The Conservative Party from Peel to Major. London 1997.
  • Winston Churchill, a Pocket Biography. London 1998.
  • Jardine Matheson, Traders of the Far East. London 1999.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Blake, Robert, Baron Blake
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Blake, Robert Norman William, Baron Blake (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British modern historian and university professor
DATE OF BIRTH December 23, 1916
PLACE OF BIRTH Brundall , Norfolk
DATE OF DEATH September 20, 2003
Place of death Norwich , Norfolk