Basil Chubb

Frederick Basil Chubb (8 December 1921 – 8 May 2002) was an English and Irish political scientist, author and broadcaster.

Chubb was the first chair of the new Department of Political Science at Trinity College, Dublin, and was responsible for numerous publications which became standard works for those wishing to gain insight into Irish government and politics, most notably his The Government and Politics of Ireland, which was published in four editions. He was described as the "Father of political science in Ireland" He joined the RAF, but was shot down and captured during a bombing raid over Leipzig on 19 February 1944. He also held a number of public office posts, including chair of the Employer-Labour Conference (which played a crucial role in national economic policy) and chair of Comhairle na n-Ospideal (the Hospitals Council) from 1972 to 1979.

Books He was the author of the following publications: The control of public expenditure: Financial committees of the House of Commons (1952) A Source Book of Irish Government (1964) The Government and Politics of Ireland (1970) The Constitution and Constitutional Change in Ireland (1978) The Politics of the Irish Constitution (1991) FIE 50: Federation of Irish Employers, 1942-92 (1992)

He also contributed to the following: Economic Development and Planning Readings in Irish Public Administration: Volume 1 (1969), as editor Parish Pump: Study of Democratic Efficiency and Local Government in Ireland (with Myles Tierney)

Legacy The Political Studies Association of Ireland established an annual award to recognise the best PhD thesis in honour of Chubb's memory. Awarded to recognise outstanding contributions to the research of politics undertaken in Ireland, there have been 20 winners of the Basil Chubb Prize between 2006 and 2025.

''List of Basil Chubb Prize winners 2006-2026