T. S. R. Boase (1898–1974)

Thomas Sherrer Ross Boase (henceforth Boase) was born on August 31st, 1898, the son of C. M. Boase. Boase was educated at Rugby, and then served as a Lieutenant with the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry between 1917-1919, receiving the Military Cross for action in the trenches. After the war, he was an Exhibitioner at Magdalen 1919-1921, studying history: receiving a second class BA in 1921 and an MA in 1925.
Boase became a Fellow at Hertford College in 1922 and remained so until 1937 (he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 1948). He then moved to London where he was the Professor of History of Art at London University and Director of the Courtauld Institute between 1937-1947.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Boase became a temporary Civil Servant for the Air Ministry, based both in the UK and Egypt. In 1943 he was appointed the Chief Representative of the British Council Middle East, and served in that capacity until the end of the war.
In 1947 Boase was elected President of Magdalen College and was to remain so until 1968. Views on his presidency vary: some emphasise his personal interest and kindness to students, while others question the decisions he made regarding building work (notably the Waynflete Building). He also served a term as Vice-Chancellor of the University between 1958-1960 and was Slade Professor 1963-1964.
Boase showed boundless energy and commitment in his professional life. As well as his posts at the University of Oxford he served on several committees: Trustee of the National Gallery 1946-1953, Chairman of the same 1951-1953; Trustee of the British Museum from 1950; Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 1952 and Commissioner for the Exhibition of 1851 from 1956. His contributions were recognised by Honorary Degrees from St. Andrews; Durham; Reading; Oxford; Melbourne; St Mark's College, Adelaide and the Rockefeller Institute, USA. Boase was also a prolific writer who wrote and edited several works on History and Art History: these are listed in Section II of the Introduction.
Boase retired from the presidency of Magdalen College on his 70th birthday (August 31st, 1968), after serving for twenty-one years. Having never married, he retired to Wimbledon, living with his sister until his death on April 14th, 1974.