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Donald Adamson

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Donald Adamson
Born(1939-03-30)30 March 1939
Culcheth,Lancashire,England
Died18 January 2024(2024-01-18)(aged 84)
Polperro,Cornwall,England
OccupationAuthor and historian
Alma materMagdalen College, Oxford
GenreLiterary romanticism
SubjectHistory of literature,philosophyandbiography
Notable worksBlaise Pascal:Mathematician, Physicist, and Thinker about God
SpouseHelennéeGriffiths (m.1966)
Children2 sons
Website
www.dodmore.uk

Donald Adamson,JP(30 March 1939 – 18 January 2024), was a British literary scholar and historian.[1]

Books which he wrote includeBlaise Pascal:Mathematician, Physicist, and Thinker about God[2]andBalzacand the Tradition of the European Novel,as well asThe Curriers' Company:A Modern History.[3]Adamson's works are regarded as a gateway toEuropean literature.[4]

Biography

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Born atCulchethinLancashireto a farming family, his grandfather inLymmdied when he was two years old, so they moved to theBoothfamilyfarmoverlooking theBridgewater CanalinCheshire.His maternal uncle, and godfather, wasMajor Gerald Loxley.[5]His father's family was ofScottishextraction,and a distant cousin wasMgr Thomas Adamson.[6]

From 1949 to 1956 he attendedManchester Grammar Schoolwhere he was taught by, amongst others,Eric James (laterLord James of Rusholme).He became ascholarofMagdalen College, Oxford,and was tutored byAustin GillandSir Malcolm Pasley,graduatingBAin 1959, proceedingMAin 1963. He won theZaharoff Travelling ScholarPrizeof theUniversity of Oxfordfor 1959–60, thereafter studying at theParis-Sorbonne University,being tutored byPierre-Georges Castex.In 1962 he took the degree ofBLitt,proceedingMaster of Letters (MLitt);histhesisfor the degree ofDoctor of Philosophy(DPhil), entitled "Balzacand theVisual Arts",was supervised byJean SeznecofAll Souls College, Oxford.[7]

Adamson spent much of his teaching career atLondon University,although he taught atManchester Grammar Schoolfrom 1962 to 1964 and then at theLycée Louis-le-Grandfrom 1964 to 1965. He taught atSt George's Church of England School,Gravesendin 1968.[8]

In 1969 he joinedGoldsmiths' College,where his teaching did much to enhance theUniversity of London's standing throughoutFrenchacademic circles.In 1971 he was appointed aRecognised Teacherin theFaculty of Artsof the University of London and, in 1972, a member of itsFaculty of Education,holding both appointments until 1989. He served asChairmanof theBoard of ExaminersatLondon Universityfrom 1983 until 1986, attracting candidates forundergraduate degreesincluding external students from the UK, Europe and Asia. In 2021 he was awardedHonFCIL.[9]

In 1989 he was elected aVisitingFellowofWolfson College, Cambridge,being a promoter in the fields ofpublic policyon thearts,librariesandmuseums.[10]By speaking, writing and, through theBow Group,submitting (withSir John HannamMP) written and oral evidence to aParliamentary select committee,[11]he helped to establish theNational Heritage Memorial Fund.Adamson was a member of the judging committee of theMuseum of the Year Awardsfrom 1979 to 1983, before donating to theNational Library of Walesand theNational Library of Malta.[12]

Joining theOrder of St Johnin 1981, he becameDeputy Directorof Ceremoniesof thePrioryofEngland and the Islands(theIsle of Wight,theIsles of Scilly,theChannel Islandsand theIsle of Man) serving until 2008.[13]

From 19 October 2012 until 11 October 2013 Adamson served asMasterof theWorshipful Company of Curriersof theCity of London,then asSenior Court Assistantfrom 2015, before being awardedHonoraryCourt Assistantshipin 2023. During histermasMaster Currierhe endowedThe Curriers' Company London History Essay Prize,[14]which is competed for annually byyoung graduatesofBritish universities;[15]winning essays being published inThe London Journal,he stepped down from executive oversight in 2021.[16] Adamson also established sixteen annual prizes inmathematicsandhistoryfor pupils aged 14 to 15 at fourLondonacademies.[17]In 1976 Adamson became aliverymanof theHaberdashers' Company.[18]

His personal interests included thehistory of religionandgenealogy.[19]He was also an enthusiasticart collector,mainly ofWestern European art,including a work ofEugène Isabey,and drawings of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Adamson contributed much on thehistory of Cornwalland died suddenly inPolperroon 18 January 2024, at the age of 84.[20]Aservicein his memorywas held on 15 April 2024 at thePriory Church of St Bartholomew the Greatin theCity of London.[21] He and his wife divided their time between homes inKentandPolperro,Cornwall.[22]

Scope of his writing

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The GenesisofLe Cousin Pons,substantially the text of Adamson's (BLitt)thesis,[23]is a detailed study of themanuscriptand proof-sheets of this very late work. Tracing the progress of the novel through its various editions, it reveals the full extent of Balzac's improvisation fromnovellato full-lengthmasterpiece.

Illusions Perdues,a critical study of what isBalzac's most mature work, outlines its strong autobiographical element, analysing contrasts ofParisand the provinces, the purity of the artist's life and the corruptions of journalism, and the ambiguity of Balzac's narrative outlook. Major themes of the book are that in "fiction" istruthand in "truth"fiction,and thatIllusions Perduesis the first novel by any writer to highlight the shaping of public opinion by the media, usually done in the pursuit of power or money.[24]

Blaise Pascalconsiders its subject from biographical, theological, religious and mathematical points of view, including the standpoint ofphysics.There is a chapter on the argument of theWager.The analysis is slightly inclined in a secular direction, giving greater emphasis to Pascal's concern with the contradictions ofhuman nature,and rather less to his deep and traditional preoccupation withOriginal Sin.Since writing this book, Adamson has produced further work on Pascal's mathematical comprehension of God.[25]

His historical writings fall into three categories: amonographonSpanish artandFrenchRomanticism,illuminating the opening-up ofSpainand Spanish art to travellers from France and other parts of Western Europe, and to enthusiasts in those countries; articles onmanorialandbanking history;and, the modern workings of aCitylivery company.Adamson has also written on travel inEnglandandWalesin the 18th century.[26]

Adamson's study of one year in the life of the celebrated artistOskar Kokoschkahas been published to critical acclaim,[27][28]as have his recollections ofSir William Golding.[29]

Philosophy of literature

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According to Adamson,literaturedoes not need to fulfil any social mission or purpose;[30]yet, as withÉmile Zola[31]orD. H. Lawrence,there is every reason why it can highlight social evils. A novel or novella – or abiography– is not merely an absorbing story: inMatthew Arnold's words, the best prose is, like poetry, "a criticism of life".[32]This means that they convey some sort of philosophy of the world (in Arnold's words, "How to live"[33][34]), though some writers, such asAdalbert Stifter[35]andJane Austen(to whom, incidentally, he isrelatedthrough hismother[36]do this less than most others, whilst on the other handSamuel Beckettconveys a profoundly negative philosophy of life.

All too often, in Adamson's view, people go through their lives without living or seeking any belief which, for him, is the supreme attractiveness ofBlaise Pascal,whosephilosophywas of a unique kind: grounded in the vagaries of human nature;[37]not essentially seeking to convince bymathematics;[38]and foreshadowingSøren Kierkegaard[39]and 20th-centuryexistentialism[40]in its appeal to human experience.

Honours and awards

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Arms

[edit]
Coat of arms of Donald Adamson
Crest
A Wyvern Azure armed and langued Or in its mouth a Sprig of Laurel Vert
Helm
That of anEsquire
Escutcheon
Quarterly,1st, Vert on a Chevron Argent three Crosses-crosslet fitchées Gules between three Billets Or each charged with a Boar’s Head erect and erased Sable (forAdamson); 2nd, Argent three Boars’ Heads erect and erased Sable langued Gules (forBooth); 3rd, Or a Lion rampant Gules (forLeigh); 4th, Argent a Lion rampant Gules between three Pheons Sable (forEgerton)
Motto
Tout par Lui, tout pour Lui
(Eng:Everything by Him, everything for Him)
Orders
Behind theShield,the badgeofSt Johnand suspended below, by their respectiveribbons,theinsigniaof theordersofPalmes académiques,Arts et Lettresandpro Merito Melitensi
Other elements
AsMaster Currier,Dr Adamson couldimpaletheCurriers'arms(dexter) with his familyarms(sinister)

Bibliography

[edit]

Within a study of the art ofautobiographyAdamson wrote an account of his own life, including his friendship withA.L. Rowse,with excerpts of the latter's correspondence.[43]Adamson has written elevenbooksas well as numerousarticles.

Books
Translations
Other works

References

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  1. ^"Common Reading: Critics, Historians, Publics".
  2. ^"Blaise Pascal: Mathematician, Physicist, and Thinker about God".Archived fromthe originalon 8 November 2014.Retrieved8 November2014.
  3. ^"The Curriers' Company London History Essay Prize".
  4. ^www.lysdanslavallee.fr
  5. ^"Burke's Peerage & Baronetage,qv.BOOTH, Bt "(PDF).
  6. ^www.burkespeerage.com
  7. ^www.asc.ox.ac.uk
  8. ^www.saintgeorgescofe.kent.sch.uk
  9. ^www.ciol.org.uk
  10. ^WeeklyHansard,no. 1054, Pt I, cols 325–336, 25 November 1976.
  11. ^Hansard,Expenditure Committee, Third Report, Session 1977–78, pp. 128–136, 30 November 1977.
  12. ^www.artfund.org
  13. ^The London Gazette,22 July 1998, p. 7984, col. 1.
  14. ^www.royalhistsoc.org
  15. ^"The Curriers' Company London History Essay Prize".
  16. ^www.thelondonjournal.org
  17. ^"www.curriers.co.ukOasis Academies - Curriers' Co.".Archived fromthe originalon 22 March 2014.Retrieved21 March2014.
  18. ^"Haberdashers' Company".
  19. ^www.westminster.gov.uk
  20. ^"Dr Donald Adamson JP FRSL".The Daily Telegraph.25 January 2024.Retrieved25 January2024.
  21. ^"Thanksgiving Service".The Times.17 April 2024. p. 47.Retrieved21 April2024."A Service of Thanksgiving celebrating the life of Dr Donald Adamson JP FRSL was held at the Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, London EC1, on Monday 15th April 2024, led by the rector, the Revd Marcus Walker.
    The Very Revd Robert Willis, Dean Emeritus of Canterbury, gave the address and readings were given by Mr Ian Michel, Master Currier, and the Revd James Power, Past Master Haberdasher.
    Mrs Helen Adamson received, on behalf of her late husband, the insignia of l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres from Sébastien Bidaud, minister counsellor and deputy head of mission for the French Embassy to the United Kingdom.
    Alderman Gregory Jones, the Earl of Erroll, Lord Haselhurst, Lord Murray of Blidworth and Sir Charles Hoare were also present among friends and family including Lady Bingham of Cornhill, Sir Edward Leigh and Professor Mark Watson-Gandy. "
  22. ^Obituary.The Cornish Times.Hon. Jenico Preston.p. 33, 21 February 2024
  23. ^www.bnf.fr
  24. ^www.oxfordreference.com
  25. ^www.vatican.va
  26. ^www.foliosociety.com
  27. ^Oskar Kokoschka at Polperro,"The Cornish Banner".November 2009.
  28. ^Researching Kokoschka,"The Cornish Banner".November 2010.
  29. ^William Golding Remembered"The Cornish Banner".February 2010.
  30. ^Donald Adamson,Reference Guide to World Literature,1995, vol. I, pp. 434–437, 458–460, 509–511.
  31. ^Émile Zola,Germinal,1885.
  32. ^Matthew Arnold,Essays in Criticism,second series, 1888, "Wordsworth", p. 143.
  33. ^Matthew Arnold,Essays in Criticism,second series, 1888, "Wordsworth", p. 144.
  34. ^The Walking Penguin."English Literature Essays".Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2012.Retrieved4 August2012.
  35. ^Adalbert Stifter,Bunte Steine( "Colourful Stones" ), e.g.,Bergkristall( "Rock Crystal" ),Turmalin( "Tourmaline" ), 1853.
  36. ^www.telegraph.co.uk
  37. ^Donald Adamson,Blaise Pascal: Mathematician, Physicist, and Thinker about God,1995, pp. 143–160.
  38. ^Donald Adamson,Mathematics and the Divine: A Historical Study(ed. T. Koetsier and L. Bergmans), 2005, pp. 407–421.
  39. ^Søren Kierkegaard,Either/Or,1843.
  40. ^Gabriel Marcel,The Mystery of Being,1951.
  41. ^"www.stjohnengland.org.uk".Archived fromthe originalon 5 April 2023.Retrieved5 April2023.
  42. ^www.gov.uk
  43. ^Donald Adamson (February 2009)."A.L. Rowse: An Appreciation".The International Literary Quarterly.
  44. ^"www.oxfordjournals.org".Archived fromthe originalon 26 April 2014.
  45. ^"Blaise Pascal: Mathematician, Physicist, and Thinker about God".Archived fromthe originalon 8 November 2014.Retrieved8 November2014.
  46. ^Balzacand the Nineteenth Century,Leicester University Press,1972.
  47. ^The Three Banks Review,December 1982.
  48. ^Ideology and Literature. Essays in Honour ofBrian Juden.
  49. ^L'Année Balzacienne,1992.
  50. ^St John in Cornwall,"The Cornish Banner".August 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 14 August 2014.Retrieved29 March2012.
  51. ^Meeting A.L. Rowse,"The Cornish Banner".February 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2014.Retrieved21 January2010.
  52. ^Frank Heath, Artist of Polperro and Lamorna,"The Cornish Banner".February 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2014.Retrieved21 January2010.
  53. ^Belonging to the Curriers' Company,"The Cornish Banner".February 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2014.Retrieved21 January2010.
  54. ^Master of the Curriers' Company,"The Cornish Banner".May 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2014.Retrieved21 January2010.
  55. ^Master of the Curriers' Company,"The Cornish Banner".August 2014.
  56. ^Rowse and Trevor-Roper defined,"The Cornish Banner".August 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2014.Retrieved21 January2010.
  57. ^Malta, its Knights and Grand Masters,"The Cornish Banner".November 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 1 November 2014.Retrieved21 January2010.
  58. ^Malta, its Knights and Grand Masters,"The Cornish Banner".February 2015.
  59. ^In Memoriam: Raleigh Trevelyan,"The Cornish Banner".May 2015.
  60. ^Cyprus: An Essay,"The Cornish Banner".August 2015.
  61. ^Serendipity,"The Cornish Banner".November 2015.
  62. ^A Visit to Venice,"The Cornish Banner".February 2016.
  63. ^A Visit to Provence and Languedoc,"The Cornish Banner".August 2016.
  64. ^The Godolphins,"The Cornish Banner".November 2016.
  65. ^The Godolphins,"The Cornish Banner".February 2017.
  66. ^Elba,"The Cornish Banner".August 2017.
  67. ^Elba,"The Cornish Banner".November 2017.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related toDonald Adamson.
Preceded by
Oxford University
Zaharoff Prize
1959 - 1960 		Succeeded by
William Bell
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