Pollard, A.F. (Albert Frederick), 1869-1948

Albert Frederick Pollard was born on 16 December 1869. He received a scholarship to Jesus College, Oxford University, where he attended the Union and rowed in the college eight. At Oxford he received a first class degree in History. In 1893, Pollard obtained the assistant editorship of the Dictionary of National Biography where he remained for nine years. In 1903, he became Professor of Constitutional History at University College London and in 1908 he was elected to a research fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford. His seminal publications include England under the Protector Somerset (1900), Henry VIII (1905) and Evolution of Parliament (1920). Pollard was also a co-founder of the Historical Association in 1903, editor of its journal History for six years and President 1912-1915. Most signally for the University of London, he was founder of the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) and Director and Honorary Director in turn from its opening in July 1921 until 1939. His long association with the University of London included the continuous Chairmanship of the Board of the Studies in History from 1910 until 1923. Pollard was also deeply interested in modern history and politics and in 1918 he served on the Government Committee on the League of Nations. For three consecutive years 1922-1924, Pollard stood unsuccessfully as Liberal candidate for the University of London seat. In 1924, Pollard took up the post of Visiting Professor at Columbia University for four months and toured a number of universities in Canada and the USA. In 1920, Pollard was elected to the British Academy and in 1930 he was made a Corresponding Member of the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres (Institut de France). By 1933, he had received an Honorary Degree from Manchester University and become an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford. He died on 3 August 1948.

From the guide to the Albert Frederick Pollard papers, 1884-1948, (Senate House Library, University of London)

Albert Frederick Pollard was born on 16 December 1869. He received a scholarship to Jesus College, Oxford University, where he attended the Union and rowed in the college eight. At Oxford he received a first class degree in History. In 1893, Pollard obtained the assistant editorship of the Dictionary of National Biography where he remained for nine years. In 1903, he became Professor of Constitutional History at University College London and in 1908 he was elected to a research fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford. His seminal publications include England under the Protector Somerset (1900), Henry VIII (1905) and Evolution of Parliament (1920). Pollard was also a co-founder of the Historical Association in 1903, editor of its journal History for six years and President 1912-1915. Most signally for the University of London, he was founder of the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) and Director and Honorary Director in turn from its opening in July 1921 until 1939. His long association with the University of London included the continuous Chairmanship of the Board of the Studies in History from 1910 until 1923. Pollard was also deeply interested in modern history and politics and in 1918 he served on the Government Committee on the League of Nations. For three consecutive years 1922-1924, Pollard stood unsuccessfully as Liberal candidate for the University of London seat. In 1924, Pollard took up the post of Visiting Professor at Columbia University for four months and toured a number of universities in Canada and the USA. In 1920, Pollard was elected to the British Academy and in 1930 he was made a Corresponding Member of the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres (Institut de France). By 1933, he had received an Honorary Degree from Manchester University and become an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford. He died on 3 August 1948.

Josiah Clement Wedgwood was born on 16 March 1872. He received his education from Clifton College and the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Wedgwood worked as an Assistant Constructor in the dockyard at Portsmouth from 1895-1896 and as a naval architect at Elswick shipyard from 1896 to 1900. Wedgwood served in the forces between 1914 and 1916. In 1917 he became Assistant Director of Trench Warfare and in 1918 he served on the Mission to Siberia. From 1906 to 1942 Wedgwood represented Newcastle-under-Lyme as a Labour Member of Parliament. He was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1924. He was created 1st Baron of Barlaston in 1942. He had an active interest in history, particularly the history of Parliament. He was Chairman of the Committee on House of Commons Records in 1929 and one of the trustees for the history of Parliament. Wedgewood wrote on politics and history. His historical works include, Staffordshire Parliamentary History, 1258-1919 , 1922; History of Parliament, 1439-1509 , 1940 and Testament to Democracy 1942. Wedgwood died on 26 July 1943.

From the guide to the Pollard, Albert: Josiah Clement Wedgwood letters, 1942, (Senate House Library, University of London)