Ian Holbourn

Ian Holbourn (5 November 1872 – 14 September 1935 ), born John Bernard Stoughton Holbourn, was laird of Foula, a professor and lecturer for the University of Oxford, and a writer.

Education and career Holbourn was educated at the Slade School of Art and Merton College, Oxford. As a young man he became fond of the remote Scottish island of Foula, which he succeeded in purchasing around 1900, thus becoming its laird.

He was a co-founder of Ruskin College, and served on the college's correspondence and examining staff for many years. He was also appointed professor of the University of California art and architecture extension programme, and was instrumental in the expansion of the art department of Carleton College in Minnesota, where he served part-time as a professor of art and archaeology.

With his insights into the largely hushed-up events surrounding the wreck of the RMS Oceanic on 8 September 1914 off Foula, Professor Holbourn was aware of the dangers presented to ocean liners during the First World War, and as a passenger on Lusitania was prepared to face the worst. Holbourn attempted to insist that Captain William Thomas Turner should take the precautions of ordering lifeboat drills and instructing passengers on how to wear lifejackets. His efforts to stimulate safety awareness during a time of war were unwelcome, and he was asked to keep quiet.

Personal life He was married to Marion Constance Archer-Shepherd, and together they had three sons.

In popular culture Holbourn is portrayed in the docudrama Lusitania: Terror At Sea in 2007, where he is played by actor John Hannah.