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Vice-Chancellors

Lord James of Rusholme

Eric John Francis James (1909-1992). James was a teacher at Winchester College for twelve years before becoming High Master of Manchester Grammar school in 1945. He was a member of the University Grants Committee from 1949 to 1959 and on the Central Advisory Council for Education from 1957 to 1961. James's contribution to education was recognized when he was knighted in 1956. In 1959, he was made a life peer, becoming Baron James of Rusholme.

Lord James was invited to become the first Vice-Chancellor of the newly founded University of York in 1962, which was formally opened in October 1963. As Vice-Chancellor at York, Lord James had a formative influence in the architectural and academic planning of the new university and was a strong advocate of its collegiate system. James wanted students to feel as though they were part of a small close-knit community and supported student representation on key University committees.

He was asked to conduct the 1971 report on the Education and Training of Teachers, which concluded that teaching should become a graduate profession. After retiring as Vice-Chancellor in 1973, James was Chairman of the Headmaster's Conference, a member of the Royal Fine Arts Commission 1973-76, and its Chairman 1976-79.

Archive: Papers of Lord James

Seel also: Allen Warren, Eric James and the Founding of the University of York (Borthwick Papers, York, 2017).