Eric James, Baron James of Rusholme

Eric John Francis James, Baron James of Rusholme (13 April 1909 – 16 May 1992) was a prominent British educator.

Background Eric John Francis James was born at Derby into a Nonconformist family. His father was a commercial traveller with a passion for literature, which he successfully passed to his son.

James was educated at York Place Secondary School, Brighton. At age 13 he went to Taunton's School at Southampton, from where he won an exhibition to The Queen's College, Oxford. He gained a first in Chemistry, and represented the university at chess. He had planned on studying Medicine, but unable to obtain the necessary scholarships, he chose a teaching career.

Career

James was offered a temporary appointment at Winchester College in 1933, where he soon secured a permanent staff position. He taught Chemistry, as well as a variety of related subjects. He remained there until 1945, and was High Master of The Manchester Grammar School from 1945 to 1962. He then became the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, serving from 1962 to 1973. He is credited with creating the collegiate structure of the University of York.

Educational views and influence James held well-known and controversial views on the importance of meritocracy and took very seriously "the University's obligation to be a cultural and educational force in the region". His three cardinal principles for the University of York were: describing himself as Dr. E. J. F. James, M.A., D.Phil., knighted in 1956, and was created a life peer as Baron James of Rusholme, of Fallowfield in the County Palatine of Lancashire, in 1959.

In 2023, the University of York Boat Club, named their men’s coxed four after Lord James in honour of his work in establishing the first Roses tournament and to commemorate 60 years of the club.

Personal

In 1939 James married Cordelia Mary Wintour, the sole daughter of Major-General Fitzgerald Wintour, and sister of Charles Wintour, an editor of the British daily newspaper The Evening Standard. Cordelia was a paternal aunt of the fashion magazine editor Dame Anna Wintour and of the British journalist Patrick Wintour.

The son of Eric James and Cordelia Wintour James is the Hon Oliver Francis Wintour James, who became a professor, a leading British hepatologist, and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Newcastle University.

Death Eric James died in 1992. He had become blind, and fell in his home in North Yorkshire onto a miniature orange tree: a twig penetrated his eyeball and pierced his brain.

Publications