Cecil Davidge
Encyclopedia
Cecil Vere Davidge was a British lawyer and academic, who served as a Fellow and bursar
of Keble College, Oxford
and as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
.
in Japan. Davidge was educated at Abingdon School
before studying at Pembroke College, Oxford
, where he obtained a second-class degree in Jurisprudence
in 1923; he obtained the Bachelor of Civil Law
degree in 1925. He was called to the bar (becoming a barrister
) as a member of Inner Temple
in 1927. He was a lecturer in Jurisprudence at Keble College, Oxford
from 1927 to 1933, when he was appointed a Fellow and Tutor in Jurisprudence; he was regarded as a fine tutor and lecturer. He remained a Fellow until 1968, when he retired. He also served as the college's bursar
between 1945 and 1968, and as Sub-Warden
from 1965 to 1968. During his time as bursar, he purchased a number of farms for the college for investment purposes, and considerably strengthened the college's financial position. On his retirement, he was appointed an Honorary Fellow. He was High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
in 1950.
Davidge was a keen rower
. Whilst at Pembroke, he rowed for the college boat club
, and helped improve its position in Eights Week
, the main inter-college races, raising them to high in the 1st Division of the races. He was later to become Treasurer of Oxford University Boat Club
. He helped to attract rowers to Keble, making it a strong rowing college. He acquired a love of the country, particular horses and fox hunting
, from his first wife, and became a keen follower of the Pytchley Hunt
, in Northamptonshire
. Davidge died in a hunting accident on 27 January 1981.
, who represented Britain on three occasions in rowing events at the Summer Olympics (in 1952, 1956 and 1960).
Bursar
A bursar is a senior professional financial administrator in a school or university.Billing of student tuition accounts are the responsibility of the Office of the Bursar. This involves sending bills and making payment plans with the ultimate goal of getting the student accounts paid off...
of Keble College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
and as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Northamptonshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been...
.
Life
Cecil Vere Davidge was born on 14 February 1901. His father, Cecil William Davidge, was Professor of English at Kobe UniversityKobe University
Shindai is one of the leading universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:The university is ranked 10th in 2010 in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai...
in Japan. Davidge was educated at Abingdon School
Abingdon School
Abingdon School is a British day and boarding independent school for boys situated in Abingdon, Oxfordshire , previously known as Roysse's School. In 1998 a formal merger took place between Abingdon School and Josca's, a preparatory school four miles to the west at Frilford...
before studying at Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College, Oxford
Pembroke College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, located in Pembroke Square. As of 2009, Pembroke had an estimated financial endowment of £44.9 million.-History:...
, where he obtained a second-class degree in Jurisprudence
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
in 1923; he obtained the Bachelor of Civil Law
Bachelor of Civil Law
Bachelor of Civil Law is the name of various degrees in law conferred by English-language universities. Historically, it originated as a postgraduate degree in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, but many universities now offer the BCL as an undergraduate degree...
degree in 1925. He was called to the bar (becoming a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
) as a member of Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1927. He was a lecturer in Jurisprudence at Keble College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
from 1927 to 1933, when he was appointed a Fellow and Tutor in Jurisprudence; he was regarded as a fine tutor and lecturer. He remained a Fellow until 1968, when he retired. He also served as the college's bursar
Bursar
A bursar is a senior professional financial administrator in a school or university.Billing of student tuition accounts are the responsibility of the Office of the Bursar. This involves sending bills and making payment plans with the ultimate goal of getting the student accounts paid off...
between 1945 and 1968, and as Sub-Warden
Warden (college)
A warden is the head of some colleges and other educational institutions. This applies especially at some colleges and institutions at the University of Oxford:* All Souls College* Greyfriars* Keble College* Merton College* New College* Nuffield College...
from 1965 to 1968. During his time as bursar, he purchased a number of farms for the college for investment purposes, and considerably strengthened the college's financial position. On his retirement, he was appointed an Honorary Fellow. He was High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
High Sheriff of Northamptonshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Northamptonshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been...
in 1950.
Davidge was a keen rower
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
. Whilst at Pembroke, he rowed for the college boat club
Pembroke College Boat Club (Oxford)
Pembroke College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Pembroke College, Oxford, and is one of the top boat clubs in Oxford with regular success for both men and women...
, and helped improve its position in Eights Week
Eights Week
Eights Week, also known as Summer Eights, is a four-day regatta of bumps races which constitutes the University of Oxford's main intercollegiate rowing event of the year. The regatta takes place in May of each year, from the Wednesday to the Saturday of the fifth week of Trinity term...
, the main inter-college races, raising them to high in the 1st Division of the races. He was later to become Treasurer of Oxford University Boat Club
Oxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
. He helped to attract rowers to Keble, making it a strong rowing college. He acquired a love of the country, particular horses and fox hunting
Fox hunting
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
, from his first wife, and became a keen follower of the Pytchley Hunt
Pytchley Hunt
The Pytchley Hunt is a fox hunting organisation formerly based near the Northamptonshire village of Pytchley, but since 1966 has had kennels close to Brixworth. The Pytchley country used to include areas of the Rockingham Forest but was split to form the Woodland Pytchley Hunt...
, in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
. Davidge died in a hunting accident on 27 January 1981.
Personal life
He married his first wife, Ursula Catherine Smyth, in 1928; she died in 1948. He married Philippa Lester in 1961. He had a son and a daughter with each wife; his son from his first marriage was Chris DavidgeChris Davidge
Christopher Guy Vere Davidge is a former British rower who competed in the Summer Olympics three times in 1952, 1956 and 1960 and won the Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta three times....
, who represented Britain on three occasions in rowing events at the Summer Olympics (in 1952, 1956 and 1960).