Cecil Davidge

Cecil Vere Davidge (14 February 1901 – 27 January 1981) was a British lawyer and academic, who served as a Fellow and bursar of Keble College, Oxford, and as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

Life

Davidge was born on 14 February 1901.^[1] His father, Cecil William Davidge, was Professor of English at Kobe University in Japan.^[2] 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.^[1] 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.^[1][2] 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.^[1] 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.^[2] On his retirement, he was appointed an Honorary Fellow. He was High Sheriff of Northamptonshire in 1950.^[3]

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.^[2]

Personal life

He married his first wife, Ursula Catherine Smyth, in 1928; she died in 1948. He married Philippa Lester in 1961.^[1] He had a son and a daughter with each wife; his son from his first marriage was Chris Davidge, who represented Britain on three occasions in rowing events at the Summer Olympics (in 1952, 1956 and 1960).^[2]

References

1. Drennan, Basil St G., ed. (1970). The Keble College Centenary Register 1870 – 1970. Keble College, Oxford. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-85033-048-9.
2. "C. V. Davidge". The Times. 30 January 1981. p. 16.
3. The London Gazette: no. 38878. p. 1666. 4 April 1950. Retrieved 20 January 2010.