Kenneth Hotham Vickers

Kenneth Hotham Vickers(11 May 1881 – 5 September 1958) was anEnglishhistorian and university administrator. From 1922–1946 he was Principal ofSouthampton University Collegewhich became theUniversity of Southamptonin 1952.^[1]^[2]

Early life

He was born atNaburn,nearYork,where his father, the Revd Randall William Vickers, was then vicar. He was youngest of a family of four, with a brother and two sisters. He attendedOundle SchoolinNorthamptonshirebut aged 15 contracted polio and was left with a weak arm and leg. He won a scholarship in history toExeter College, Oxford,graduating in 1904.^[1]

Career

From 1905-1908 he lectured in History atUniversity College, Bristol.From 1907–09 he lectured in history for theLondon County Counciland was a tutor for theUniversity of Londonfrom 1908-1913. He became a fellow of theRoyal Historical Societyin 1909. In 1913 he became Professor of Modern History atArmstrong Collegea college of theUniversity of Durhamwhich was based in Newcastle and now part ofNewcastle University.^[1]

In 1922 Vickers became Principal of the University College of Southampton taking retirement in 1946. His objective was to get full university status. New building was critical as there was only one brick building and then wooden huts – the legacy of theFirst World War,with newly built building being need for use as hospitals. Lack of money was a major continuing problem into the late 1930s. By 1939 however a now students' union building and a new library had been establish, science departments re-housed and halls of residence established. TheSecond World Warsuspended development but full university status was established in 1952 by his successor.

Personal life

In 1911 he married Alice Margretha Crossman (died 1948) and they had two sons of whom one died in infancy.^[1]

Works

Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester:A Biography(1907)
England in the Later Middle Ages(1913; 7th ed. 1950) - the 3rd volume (of 8) inCharles Oman'sA History of Englandseries
A Short History of London(1914)
A History ofNorthumberland:Volume XI(1922)

References

^^a ^b ^c ^dG. F. Forsey:Vickers, Kenneth Hotham (1881–1958),rev. Mark Pottle, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 18 Aug 2013
^The University of Southampton(1962) A. Temple Patterson, Southampton University Press, ASIN: B0000CLFGC

External links

Academic offices
Preceded by Thomas Loveday	PrincipalofSouthampton University College 1922-1946	Succeeded by Sir Robert Stanford Wood

[ODNB-1] G. F. Forsey:Vickers, Kenneth Hotham (1881–1958),rev. Mark Pottle, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 18 Aug 2013

[UOS-2] The University of Southampton(1962) A. Temple Patterson, Southampton University Press, ASIN: B0000CLFGC

[1]

[2]

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