Trevor Aston

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Trevor Henry Aston (14 June 1925 – 17 October 1985) was a British historian and academic at the University of Oxford

Life

Aston was born in Fulham, London, on 14 June 1925. His father, Oliver, had mental health problems and was unable to work regularly; his mother worked at a home for children orphaned through tuberculosis, in Woolbeding, Sussex, and Aston was brought up there. He studied at Midhurst grammar school, living with the headmaster. After two terms at St John's College, Oxford studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Aston joined the Royal Marines in 1943 but did not see combat. Back in Oxford in 1946, he switched to read Modern History and obtained a first-class degree in 1949. He was then elected as a Junior Research Fellow (1950), then Fellow and Tutor in History (1952), of Corpus Christi College, Oxford and took a particular interest in the history of the college. He served as college librarian from 1956 onwards. His research interests were primarily Domesday and the manorial economy, although he was often reluctant to publish. He was also (from 1968) the first director of research and general editor of the History of the University of Oxford, published in eight volumes (although only one volume appeared before his death), and was the university's Keeper of the Archives from 1969 onwards. He also edited the historical journal Past & Present from 1960 until his death. He suffered from manic depression and spent time in hospital. His hobbies included driving very fast between Oxford and his house in Fulham. His behaviour, at times very difficult for colleagues to bear, led to problematic relations within the college and to a separation from his wife. He was found dead in his rooms in Corpus Christi on 17 October 1985 after a drug overdose.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Evans, Ralph (January 2007). "Aston, Trevor Henry (1925–1985)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 6 September 2010.  (subscription or UK public library membership required)
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