Leon Radzinowicz facts for kids

Sir Leon Radzinowicz (born August 15, 1906 – died December 29, 1999) was a very important criminologist and university professor. A criminologist studies crime and how to prevent it. He was the person who started the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge in England.

Early Life and Studies

Leon Radzinowicz was born on August 15, 1906, in Łódź, which was part of Poland at the time. He studied law at the University of Paris and the University of Geneva. Later, he earned a special advanced degree called a doctorate from the University of Cracow.

During his studies, he spent a year in Rome, Italy. There, he learned from a famous criminologist named Enrico Ferri. In 1938, Radzinowicz moved to England. He received money from the Polish government to study the English legal system.

Building a Career in Criminology

During World War II, Radzinowicz started the Department of Criminal Science at the University of Cambridge. This department was part of the university's law school. From 1949 to 1959, he was the director of this department.

In 1959, he created the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University. He also became the first Wolfson Professor of Criminology at the Institute. This was a very important job.

His Impact on Justice

Sir Leon Radzinowicz greatly helped the study of criminology. He researched how legal ideas changed over time. His work led to new ways of thinking about justice. Many democratic countries adopted these new ideas.

He wrote several important books about crime and law. Some of his famous works include History of English Criminal Law and In Search of Criminology. He also wrote a book about his own life called Adventures in Criminology.

Later Life and Death

Sir Leon Radzinowicz passed away on December 29, 1999. He was 93 years old. He died in Haverford, Pennsylvania, in the United States. He is buried in Cambridge, England, with his third wife.

Personal Details

Sir Leon Radzinowicz was married three times. His first marriage was to Irena Szereszewska in 1933. They divorced in 1955. He then married Mary Ann Nevins in 1958. They had two children, Ann and William, before divorcing in 1979. In 1979, he married Isolde Klarmann. Before World War II, Radzinowicz changed his religion to Christianity.

Awards and Recognition

Sir Leon Radzinowicz received many honors for his work. In 1970, he was made a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II. This means he was given the title "Sir." He was knighted at Buckingham Palace on February 24, 1970.

In 1973, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the British Academy (FBA). This is a special honor for top scholars. On April 13, 1999, he was also named an honorary Queen's Counsel (QC). This is a title given to very experienced lawyers.