John Blair (historian) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Blair
FSA FBA
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Blair in 2021
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| Born |
William John Blair
4 March 1955 |
| Alma mater | Brasenose College, Oxford |
| Title | Professor of Medieval History and Archaeology |
| Spouse(s) |
Kanerva Blair-Heikkinen
(m. 2005) |
| Parent(s) | Claude Blair |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | The Queen's College, Oxford |
| Thesis | Landholding, Church and Settlement in Surrey before 1300 (1983) |
William John Blair, born on March 4, 1955, is an English historian and archaeologist. This means he studies the past, both through written records and by digging up old objects. He is an expert in Anglo-Saxon England, a time long ago when England was forming. He used to be a professor at the University of Oxford and is still connected to The Queen's College, Oxford. In 2013, he gave special talks called the Ford Lectures at the university.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Where John Blair Grew Up
John Blair was born on March 4, 1955, in Woking, a town in Surrey, England. His father, Claude Blair, was a museum expert. He was very knowledgeable about old European metalwork, especially weapons and armor. His mother was Joan Mary Greville Blair.
John Blair's Schooling and University Years
Blair went to St John's School, Leatherhead, which is a private school in Surrey. After that, he studied at Brasenose College, Oxford, a part of the University of Oxford. He did very well, earning a top degree in 1976.
He continued his studies at Brasenose College, working towards a special research degree called a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil). He finished this degree in 1983. His research was about how land was owned, the role of the church, and how settlements grew in Surrey before the year 1300. This research later became his first book, Early Medieval Surrey, published in 1991.
Academic Career
John Blair's Journey at Oxford University
While working on his DPhil, John Blair was a Junior Research Fellow at Brasenose College. This meant he was a young researcher there. In 1981, he became a Fellow of The Queen's College, Oxford. A Fellow is like a senior member of the college.
At The Queen's College, he worked as a tutor, teaching history to students. On October 1, 2006, the University of Oxford recognized his important work by making him a Professor of Medieval History and Archaeology. He retired in October 2020 and became an emeritus fellow of The Queen's College. This means he is still connected to the college even after retiring.
Special Lectures and Recognitions
In 2013, Professor Blair gave the important Ford Lectures at the University of Oxford. These lectures were titled "Building the Anglo-Saxon Landscape," where he shared his knowledge about how the landscape of Anglo-Saxon England was shaped.
On May 5, 1983, Blair was chosen as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA). This is an honor for people who are experts in old buildings, objects, and history. In 2008, he was also elected a Fellow of the British Academy (FBA), which is a top honor for experts in the humanities and social sciences.
Personal Life
In 2005, John Blair married Kanerva Heikkinen. They have two children together, a daughter and a son.
Selected Works
