GEORGE LAW CAWKWELL 1919
Born 25th October, Auckland, New Zealand
1933-37
Educated at King’s College Auckland
1938
Attended University of Auckland
1942
Served in the Far East during the Second World War
1944
Fought with the Fijian Infantry in the Solomons
1945
Married Pat Clarke
1946
Son Simon Cawkwell born Came up to Oxford, Rhodes Scholar at Christ Church
1947
Played for Scotland and The Barbarians Rugby Club (1947-8)
1948
Son Timothy Cawkwell born, received a First in Greats
1949
Came to Univ as Fellow and Praelector in Ancient History (until 1987)
1950
Daughter Sarah Cawkwell born
1951-8
Senior Treasurer of College Amalgamated Clubs
1955
First Cawkwell Dining Club begun, later to become the GLC Dining Club
1956-66
Fellow Librarian
1959-60
The Greats Dining Club formed
1966-7 & 1970-4
Senior Tutor
1967-71
Dean of Graduates
1969-2001
Oversaw the Bentham Club Dining Club
Hilary Term 1974
Tutor for Admissions
1975-81 & 1988-99
Dean of Degrees
1978
“Philip of Macedon” published
1980-1985
Vice-Master
1985
The “George Cawkwell” UCBC boat launched in Eights Week
1987-8
First Procurator of University College, initiating fund-raising campaigns among Old Members
1997
“Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War” published
1998
Univ Old Members endow fixed-term Cawkwell Fellowship in Ancient History
2005
University of Oxford joins with Univ to endow permanent George Cawkwell Fellowship in Ancient History “The Greek Wars: The Failure of Persia” published
2011
Volume of collected essays, "Cyrene to Chaeronea" published
A CELEBRATION OF
GEORGE LAW CAWKWELL’S 95TH BIRTHDAY AND HIS 65TH ANNIVERSARY AS A FELLOW OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OXFORD
31ST OCTOBER AND 1ST NOVEMBER 2014
GEORGE CAWKWELL
PROGRAMME
George Cawkwell was educated at King’s College Auckland and then at Auckland University. Having served in the Far East during the Second World War, he married Pat in 1945, and in the following year they came to Oxford, where George became a Rhodes Scholar at Christ Church. He quickly showed his mettle: as well as getting a First in Greats, he also picked up two rugby blues, and played for Scotland.
FRIDAY 31ST OCTOBER
In Michaelmas Term 1949 George came to Univ as Fellow and Praelector in Ancient History. As well as teaching generations of students, he has held many College offices, including Librarian, Senior Tutor, Dean of Graduates, Tutor for Admissions, Dean of Degrees, and Vice-Master. But he has done much else in the College besides. For many years he ran the Bentham Club, and was a supportive presence at many sporting events. His and Pat’s October drinks parties were a major part of the social year. The wider world knows George Cawkwell for his major contribution to the study of Greek history, especially the fourth century BC. George has produced many major articles, and several books, including Philip of Macedon (1978), Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War (1997), The Greek Wars: The Failure of Persia (2005), and, most recently, at the age of 92, a volume of collected essays, Cyrene to Chaeronea: Selected Essays on Ancient Greek History (2011). That is merely George’s C.V. and it does not begin to measure the man or capture his presence and influence in the College over sixty-five years. Wise, cultured, hospitable and deeply engaged with his charges, no tutor can have held so many of his undergraduates in such affectionate thrall over their lifetime as George has done. Indomitable in temper, indefatigable in advancing age, aided by an enviably prodigious memory, he continues to infuse the College with his intellect, curiosity and enthusiasms. We salute him.
Sir Ivor Crewe Master University College, Oxford
5.30pm
College Choir in Chapel Musical performance in honour of George
6.15-7.15pm
Drinks Reception In the Alington and Butler Rooms
7.15pm
Formal Hall Guest Night
SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 11.00am
Birth of a Fellow, Univ in 1949 Talk by Edward Enfield (1948)
Ancient History according to George Law Cawkwell Talk by Lisa Kallet (Cawkwell Tutorial Fellow in Ancient History)
12.00pm
Pre-luncheon Drinks In the Butler and Alington Rooms
1.00pm
Luncheon in Hall