WOOLRYCH, Austin (Herbert) 1918-2004

OBITUARY NOTICE— See index for CA sketch: Born May 18, 1918, in London, England; died September 14, 2004, in Tias, Lanzarote, Spain. Historian, educator, and author. Woolrych, a professor emeritus at Lancaster University, was best known for his expertise on the English Civil War. He was working as a clerk at Harrod's department store in London, having left school because of his family's financial troubles, when World War II began. He served in the Royal Tank Regiment as a captain, seeing action at El Alamein. When he returned home, he was able to take up his studies at Pembroke College, where he earned a B.A. in 1949, and a B.Litt. and M.A. in 1952. He lectured at the University of Leeds until 1964, when he joined the newly founded University of Lancaster. Here he also served as pro-vice-chancellor from 1972 to 1975, retiring in 1985. Because of his excitement with helping to establish a history program at Lancaster, Woolrich focused mostly on his teaching and did not turn greatly to research until his later years. However, he did publish notable books early on, especially 1961's Battles of the English Civil War: Marston Moor, Naseby, Preston. He began to produce titles more often during the 1980s, with books such as Commonwealth to Protectorate (1982) and Soldiers and Statesmen: The General Council of the Army and Its Debates, 1647-48 (1987). One of his most ambitious projects was also his last: Britain in Revolution 1625-1660 (2002). For his contributions to historical research, Woolrych was elected a fellow of the British Academy in 1988.

OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Guardian (London, England), September 23, 2004, p. 31.

Independent (London, England), September 20, 2004, p. 33.

Times (London, England), November 16, 2004, p. 66.