ROBBINS, Prof Keith Gilbert 1940-2019

[Richard R]

From the Times of 19 September 2019: ROBBINS Professor Keith MA DPhil DLitt FRHistS FRSE FLSW FHA, historian and biographer, Principal and Vice-Chancellor St David's University College, Lampeter, 1992-2003, Senior Vice-Chancellor University of Wales 1995-2001, died peacefully at home on 12th September. Dearly loved husband of Janet, devoted father of Paul, Daniel, Lucy and Adam and proud grandfather of ten. Funeral service at 2.30pm, on 3rd October, in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford. Memorial service at 2pm, on 26th October in the Abbey Church, Pershore.

He was s of Gilbert Henry John ROBBINS (1912-) by his 1938 m (reg Q2 Bristol) to Edith Mary CARPENTER (1914-2006). He m 1963 Janet Carey (b 1941) d of John THOMSON and Anne Carey ELLIOTT (1914-, d of Sir Ivo D'Oyly ELLIOTT 2nd Bt (1882-1961)), and had three sons and a dau as above.

[Henry W]

His nephew is Sir Oliver Robbins, lately a senior civil servant and recently appointed KCMG.

[colinp]

Anne Carey Thomson nee Elliott b 1914 died 19 April 2007 - probate search - https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?surname=thomson&yearOfDeath=2007&firstName=carey&advancedSearch=True&IsGrantSearch=True#wills

On Thursday, 19 September 2019 12:57:57 UTC+1, Richard R wrote:

[Sociobiologist]

Can you please substantiate the link between the late Professor and Sir Oliver Robbins? Thank you.

[G. Willis]

Hello Sociobiologist, not personally acquainted with the facts here, but Who's Who gives Sir Oliver as son of Derek and Diana Robbins; per Richard R's post, Gilbert Henry John Robbins m. Edith Mary Carpenter, and searching for Robbins births with mother's maiden name of Carpenter brings up Keith G. Robbins, b. 1940 at Bristol, as well as Derek M. Robbins, b. 1944 at Bristol (also a Deborah and a Tracy born at Bedwellty in 1967 and 1969 respectively, but I should think these can be discounted). The 1968 marriage of Derek M. Robbins and Diana F. Phillips at Islington is supported with the 1975 birth record of an Oliver Robbins, mother's maiden name 'Phillips'- like I say, I'm not in any way knowledgeable on the matter of a relationship between Prof. Robbins and Sir Oliver at all, but it seems plausible given the above details.

EDIT: had '1933' on my mind so accidentally put that as Keith Robbins's year of birth despite looking directly at '1940' on the screen!

[Sociobiologist]

Hi G. Willis,

Thank you for your expeditious reply. 

Yes, what you write does seem plausible given the alternatives. 

I met the late professor in 2015 and knew him to be against Brexit (he put his name to a letter in support of 'Remain' (The Guardian, Letters (240516)) and placed anti-Brexit posters in the window of his home (Lib Dem ones I seem to recall)), much like his supposed nephew is alleged to be (he wrote for a Europhile publication when at Oxford). I therefore wanted to know if there was a connection. 

Best wishes,

S.

[G. Willis]

My pleasure! I see; that would be something that inspires curiosity on the subject, of course. With regard to my previous contribution, I believe I have found something that confirms the supposition: Derek Robbins's position as Emeritus Professor at the University of East London and his particular focus on the sociologist and anthropologist Pierre Bourdieu are well-known (and plenty can be found about this online and elsewhere). In his book 'On Bourdieu, Education and Society' (2006), he starts off by outlining his own background and progression from what he calls a lower-middle-class background and grammar school to Cambridge: "I was born in October, 1944, in Bristol. I had one brother who had been born in April, 1940. My parents had been married at Easter, 1938, and they set up home in a new semi-detached house in Lower Knowle on the south side of the city" (p. 11) On p. 33 he mentions (with regard to his study of the sociology of education) "The final exams were held about a week after the birth of our first son, Oliver, in April, 1975."

[G. Willis]

Also, a note regarding his parents: Gilbert H. and Edith M. Robbins appear from 2005-2008 (given Edith's death in 2006 she of course wasn't there past that year) at Lampeter- this being Keith Robbins's place of residence also per company records etc- alongside Keith G. Robbins and Janet C. Robbins, and at the same place without their son and daughter-in-law in 2002-4; I can locate no death notices for Gilbert Robbins, but presumably he predeceased his son as no mention is made of him in the Times notice.

[G. Willis]

Forgot to include- although, since the notice doesn't mention his brother etc either, that need not be definitive I suppose.

[Henry W]

I am a friend of a branch of the Robbins family, so have known about this connection for a while.  Thank you to G Willis for outlining the genealogy.  I had known about the death before the Times notice and had considered posting the information, but being unsure as to whether they wanted to publicise it so soon after the death I decided to wait until a notice was posted or sufficient time had passed.

All the members I have known are quite pro-EU/Remain too!

[G. Willis]

Thanks Henry- despite the evidence seeming fairly solid one can never be 100% sure, so it's always great to have someone able to confirm these tentative conclusions with first-hand knowledge!

[Sociobiologist]

Dear Henry W & G Willis,

Thank you both very much for your replies. G Willis, I was aware of the 'brother' and his occupation, but am very grateful for the reference to his book, which is most helpful.

Henry W, do you know if Prof. Robbins was religious? He attended the local church here, but as it is Anglican, one cannot be sure *wink*. I know he wrote about the Church and put his name to a letter in defence of Carey (The Telegraph (170119)). As I mentioned previously, I met him in 2015; this was at a meeting convened by the Diocese to gather parishioners’ views about the local ministry. I recall him being very defensive of the Church.

Best wishes,


S.