Nora K. Chadwick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nora K. Chadwick
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Born |
Nora Kershaw
28 January 1891 Lancashire, England
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Died | 24 April 1972 Cambridge, England
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(aged 81)
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Medievalist |
Notable work
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The Druids |
Nora Kershaw Chadwick (born January 28, 1891 – died April 24, 1972) was an important English scholar. She was an expert in languages and cultures from the past. Her main areas of study included Anglo-Saxon (Old English), Celtic (like Irish and Welsh history), and Old Norse studies (Viking age studies).
Nora's Early Life and Schooling
Nora Kershaw was born in Lancashire, England, in 1891. She was the first daughter of James Kershaw and Emma Clara Booth. Her younger sister, Mabel, later became a nun.
Nora went to Newnham College at the University of Cambridge. This is where she earned her first degree. During World War I, she taught at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
In 1919, Nora returned to Cambridge. She began studying Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse. Her teacher was Professor Hector Munro Chadwick. They got married in 1922.
After they married, Nora and Hector Chadwick made their home a special place. It was like a "literary salon," where smart people gathered to talk about books and ideas. Nora continued this tradition even after her husband passed away in 1947.
Nora's Career and Achievements
Nora Chadwick spent most of her life doing research. In her later years, she focused a lot on the ancient Celts. From 1950 to 1958, she was a university lecturer at Cambridge. She taught about the early history and culture of the British Isles.
Nora received special honorary degrees from several universities. These included the University of Wales and the National University of Ireland. In 1961, she was honored with the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This is a very important award in Britain.
In 1965, she gave a famous lecture for the British Academy. It was called the Sir John Rhŷs Memorial Lecture.
Nora Chadwick was known for her wide range of studies. She looked at many different topics and connected them. She showed how to study various "early cultures of north-west Europe." She also used information from different cultures to understand heroic stories. Nora Chadwick is most famous for her work on the Celts, especially their very early history.
Nora's Legacy
Nora Chadwick died in Cambridge. She left money to the University of Cambridge. This money was used to create a special teaching position in Celtic Studies. This helps new students learn about the Celtic cultures she loved.