Devon

The late W.G. HOSKINS was a prolific author of local history books. Born in Exeter in 1908, William George Hoskins was educated at Hele’s School and the University of the South West; he then went on to teach at the then University College, Leicester (1931-51) where he founded the influential School of English Local History – the first department of its kind in Britain. In 1951 he became Reader in Economic History at Oxford, and it is during his time there that both Devon (1954) and The Making of the English Landscape (1955) appeared, both highly influential works, both still in great demand. Returning as Professor to Leicester, now a University, after a few years he withdrew to return to his beloved Devon: to campaign against wholesale re-development – destruction – and to champion similar environmental causes. He enjoyed a national reputation and high regard, which led to radio, television and press appearances – this Devon man changed not only our approach to the study of local history, but also our concern about the conservation of our environment. He died at Cullompton, Devon, in January 1992.