Sir Malcolm Knox

Sir Malcolm Knox

Philosophy

Profession: Philosopher Academic administrator (Bursar and lecturer in philosophy in Oxford 1931-1936) Talents etc.: Business Scholarly prowess Savoir faire (Professional) Role in St Andrews: Chair of moral philosophy at the University of St Andrews Deputy principal 1951-1953 Vice-chancellor and principal 1953-1966 (as successor of Sir James Irvine) Years in St Andrews: 1936-1966

history

1900

Francesco Alessandrini Lupia

Organisation

201

Sir Thomas Malcolm Knox

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Malcolm_Knox

TEXT

Q6742431

D.O.B: 1900 D.O.D: 1980 Family origins: Father: James Knox, congregational minister of Tillicoultry Mother: Isabella Russell Marshall Education: Bury grammar school Liverpool institute Scholarship at Pembroke College, Oxford Private life/family life: Married Margaret Normana McLeod Smith in 1927 After her death, married Dorothy Ellen Jolly No children

Involved in which fields of scholarship? Philosophy Most famous contribution(s) to scholarship /inventions/… 1 (i.e. in philosophy): Devoted to Hegel, as a heredity from his father, who had studied under Edward Caird in Glasgow New translation of the Philosophy of Right Hegel and Prussianism (1940): foolishness of simply writing Hegel’s philosophy off as precursor to Nazism; important for British Hegel studies Therefore, leading authority on Hegelianism in English-speaking world Against the phenomenological approach: “philosophical errors” If you want to read one thing written by him/her, it should be: Hegel and Prussianism (1940)

1980

Any political involvement? Government-appointed commissions (e.g. Catering Wages Commission, Scottish Tourist Board...) Other societies/groups elsewhere? Royal society of Edinburgh (member, later vice-president) 1978: financial contribution to founding of Hegel society in Great Britain Associated places in St Andrews: (e.g. home, lab, favourite spot) Office of principal and vice-chancellor Possible human interest story 1: Although Knox was born and educated in England, he always felt a deep connection with Scotland, as his parents were of Scottish descent. Possible human interest story 2: Knox gained a reputation as excellent teacher and very good administrator of the university. Therefore, he was elected to the court of the university (governing body of Scottish universities): position of influence in academic and administrative developments. Possible human interest story 3: The move to St Andrews was for Knox a “spiritual return” to Scotland. Possible human interest story 4: As principal, he made some reforms to restore the old glory of the university. He arranged for the words 'to engage in research' to be written retrospectively into the contracts of all lecturers and readers, where the pursuit of research (in contrast to professorial contracts) had (deliberately?) been omitted. He took immense trouble over professorial appointments, among other the chair of moral philosophy (vacant by his appointment as principal), now to be occupied by A. D. Woozley. Moreover, he was able to stabilise the university’s finances in a short time. He also relaxed the tense relationship with the college in Dundee by making the Dundee colleagues his supporters, but was not able to avert the establishment of an independent university in 1966. Additionally, he encouraged the engagement in research of his colleagues Possible human interest story 5: Defined as “academic dinosaur” Connected to other people in St Andrews or elsewhere? Robin Collingwood: tutor Awards/Honours: Elected to court of university Various honorary doctorates Knighted in 1961 Gifford lectures at Aberdeen University 1965-1968 Other interesting/quirky facts (not necessarily related to subject areas): Manager in various firms between 1925 and 1931 Liked music: piano Interest in theology, history, and literature Any eye-witness testimony/stories: The Times, 16 April 1980 Biographical sources: (e.g. OxDNB, family memoir, other...) OxDNB Available images of the person: Plenty in University Special collections