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William HoldsworthEnglish legal historian
Date of Birth: 07.05.1871
Country:  Great Britain |
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Biography of William Holdsworth
William Holdsworth was an English legal historian and scholar. He was born on May 7, 1871, in London. Holdsworth received his education at Dalhousie College and New College, Oxford University. He served as a member of the council of St. John's College from 1897 to 1922 and was its Vice-President from 1902 to 1903.
Academic Career
Holdsworth held several prestigious positions in academia throughout his career. He was a Professor of Constitutional Law at University College London from 1903 to 1908. He then served as a lecturer in English Law at All Souls College from 1910 to 1922. In 1922, he became a Professor of English Law at Oxford University, a position he held until his death.
Accomplishments and Awards
Holdsworth's most significant work is his monumental "History of English Law," which consists of 12 volumes published between 1922 and 1938. This comprehensive work remains a seminal text in the field of legal history. He also authored several other notable works, including "The Influence of the Legal Profession on the Growth of the English Constitution" (1924), "Sources and Literature of English Law" (1925), "Historical Introduction to the Land Law" (1927), "The Historians of Anglo-American Law" (1927), and "Some Makers of English Law" (1938).
Holdsworth's contributions to legal scholarship were widely recognized and honored. In 1922, he was elected a Fellow of the British Academy. In 1924, he delivered the prestigious Creighton Lectures at the University of London. Holdsworth was awarded the Ames Medal by Harvard University in 1927. He was knighted in 1929 and received the Order of Merit in 1943.
Legacy
William Holdsworth's extensive research and writings have had a lasting impact on the study of English law and legal history. His "History of English Law" remains an essential resource for scholars in the field. Holdsworth's meticulous scholarship and dedication to his subject have solidified his place as one of the most prominent legal historians of his time.
Holdsworth passed away on January 2, 1944, in Oxford, leaving behind a rich legacy of influential works and a lasting impact on the field of legal history.
