T.W. Bamford: The Academic Who Defined Our University’s Story

The First Fifty Years

In 1978, the Oxford University Press published ‘The University of Hull: The First Fifty Years’ written by Thomas William Bamford, a British academic researcher and lecturer at the University of Hull. It is from this book that we have a clear understanding of the foundation and early development of the University during the 1920s and 1930s, as well as the expansion of the University site from a series of fields to the core of the campus we know today.

Bamford's history of the University of Hull in it's first 50 years

Bamford Before Hull

We could be forgiven for thinking that the author of such a work was an historian, however, Bamford’s academic background was in Zoology and Education. Born 26 August 1912, Bamford began his academic career in Zoology, gaining a B.Sc. (London) Class II in Zoology (1935), carrying out research on Herring and Galeichthys, and completing a Ph.D. (London) in Zoology (1947). Bamford's academic interests then turned to education, and he completed a Teachers Diploma in 1947. He went on to study for a Masters degree in Education from London, which he completed in 1953, and received a D.Litt. from London in 1969. His research in this area focused on the 19th century history of public-school education and he published numerous papers and works on the subject.

Prior to joining Hull, Bamford held a research post at the University College London and Courtauld Institute (1935-1938). During the Second World War he worked at the Air Ministry (1939-1941) in a civilian role, followed by a post with the Meteorological Branch of the R.A.F. (1941-1945). After the war, he was appointed Biology Master at Raynes Park County Grammar School (1947-1950), leaving in 1951 to take up the post of Lecturer in Biology and Health Education at Borough Road College (1951-1955).

Perhaps Bamford’s interest in writing a work of history can be found in his connections to Zoology, Biology, Marine Ecosystems, Aeronautics, and the teaching of Education, as all these subjects formed a significant part of the early development of the University.

Bamford at Hull

Bamford’s association with the University of Hull began on 1 April 1955, when he was appointed Senior Tutor in the University's Institute of Education. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1964 and, subsequently, to Reader in 1970. Concurrently, he served as Deputy Director of the Institute of Education from 1967, becoming Director in 1976. In 1976, a year before his retirement, Bamford was awarded a Personal Professorship, and was granted the title of Emeritus Professor by University Council in October 1977, shortly after his retirement.

But for the purposes of this blog, we’re interested in the academic session 1974/75, when Bamford was appointed by the University Publications Committee to produce a history of the University of Hull. The work was commissioned to mark the University's 50th anniversary in 1977/1978. 

Using existing administrative records kept by the University, he uncovered the early development of the University, tracing it from its origins as a University College under the University of London's authority, to a university in its own right. He also spoke and corresponded with professorial staff who had been associated with the University since its formation. After several years of research and writing, Bamford delivered a manuscript to the Publications Committee in February 1977. For his efforts, he was given an honorarium of £500, with a further sum payable on publication of the work. In a letter dated 30 September 1976, which was found within Bamford’s University of Hull personnel file, Vice-Chancellor Dennison commented on the matter: 

'Characteristically, he [Bamford] said that he was willing to undertake the work without payment but I told him that we should wish to recognise it in this way.' 

Alongside the book, Bamford was asked to give one of two public talks as part of the University’s Jubilee celebrations. Bamford's talk was titled 'The History of the University' and was delivered on 13 October 1977. A companion talk, titled 'From Explosion to Implosion: The Robbins Era', was given by Professor J. P. Kenyon on 18 October 1977. Both texts were subsequently printed in the 1978 Spring Term edition of the University Gazette. 

University Gazette, Spring 1978

In further recognition of his work, the University presented Bamford with reproductions of original sketches for the coat of arms of the University College of Hull in August 1982.

A Research Collection of Note

Whilst working on the book, Bamford built up a small but significant research archive. The collection is now held by Hull University Archives, having been found amongst papers transferred from the Institute of Education Library in 1985 and donated by Bamford. It has been catalogued as part of a long-running project to rationalise and make accessible University-related collections ahead of the University’s Centenary in 2027/2028.

We might think that, because we have access to Bamford’s published work, there would be no need to keep his research papers. However, in addition to his research notes, this collection contains a surprising amount of original material. There are sets of correspondence of the University’s first Secretary and Principal with various individuals and organisations, as well as original notes and extracts from minutes, and short accounts of the University's foundation.

Overview of the University College shortly after it was founded, c.1928

There are mentions of Forsyth and Maule, the original Architects engaged by the University to develop the site and a layout plan showing suggested developments for the campus site. There are also references to negotiations around the transfer of lands from the Local Education Authority to the University College for its use, including ‘8 Acre Field’, a strip of land on the Newland High School grounds, and a site purchased by T.R. Ferens on 30 May 1922. 

Layout plan showing architect's suggestions for the campus site, c.1927

In addition, there are a number of pamphlets which were produced by the University in its early days. These include a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the University College of Hull dated 1927 with amendments up to 1952; an article written by A.E. Morgan, the first Principal of the University titled ‘The Modern University and University College’, written around 1927; and a paper titled ‘The Proposed University College at Hull dated around 1927.

Pamphlets found within Bamford's archive, c.1927

The collection also contains an illustrated description of the University’s Coat of Arms titled ‘A Lesson in Heraldry - The University College of Hull’, which was produced around 1927.

Pamphlet on the Coat of Arms of the University College of Hull, c.1927, plus illustrated description of the Coat of Arms of the University of Hull, c.1954

When working through the collection to describe the individual items it contains, it became increasingly evident that some of the original material must have come from the University’s own institutional records. A number of the folders containing the original material featured reference numbers, such as ‘Parcel 9’, which match the filing system for sequences of Vice Chancellor’s and Registrar’s files also held in the University Archives. We could only conclude that several of these files must have been borrowed from the University’s own administrative files sequences by Bamford, who had then forgotten to return them.

Original folder labelled 'Parcel 9'

Whilst we might lament the disruption of original record series (although this is perhaps more galling to the archivist than the general public!), Bamford's work should rightly be recognised as a solid, thorough and authoritative representation of the practical and factual development of the University over the course of its first fifty years. He laid the ground work upon which subsequent researchers interested in this history have been able to build.

Full Circle

Fifty years on, as we prepare for the University’s Centenary, we’re still drawing on the information uncovered by Bamford. His surviving and newly catalogued archive will be used to support current research, hopefully uncovering some new stories! Whereas Bamford focused on dates, buildings, and departments, we hope to supplement his research by adding layers of personal stories to build a greater and more people-focused picture of the University Community over its first 100 years.

You can discover the archive yourself by using the online catalogue to view a description of the records, and by visiting the History Centre to see the original material.

Claire, Archivist (Hull University Archives)