Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Studer, Paul

1879 - 23.01.1927

Born in Biel, Switzerland, Studer’s  higher education was undertaken at the Universities of Neuchâtel, Berlin and London. Between 1908 and 1913 he was Professor of French at Hartley College (later the University if Southampton). From 1913 until his death in 1927 he was the second holder of the chair of Romance Philology at the University of Oxford. In an obituary it was stated that ‘no foreigner ever became more completely British in outlook and sympathies, and this, coupled with great erudition made him an ideal choice’ (Truth, 02.02.1927).

Sources

• https://de.zxc.wiki/wiki/Paul_Studer

Portrait

Contribution to county’s history

Studer was able to use his linguistic skills to translate the “Oak Books” of Southampton, which were written in an Anglo-French dialect. While in Southampton he was a joint general editor, along with Harry Giden, of the Record Series of publications.

Relevant published works

His principal publications were in the Southampton Record Society series:-

• 10 The “Oak Book” of Southampton (1910)

• 11 The “Oak Book” of Southampton (Cox and Sharland Books, Southampton 1911)

• 12 The “Oak Book” of Southampton (1911)

• 15 The “Port Books” of Southampton (1913)

Critical Comments

‘The publication of the Oak Book … commanded widespread attention in literary circles on the continent … especially in Germany’. Likewise the Ports Books publication was ‘marked testimony’ to Studer’s ‘literary accomplishments and skill’ (Hampshire Independent, 20.12.1913)

Other Comments

Aged only 47 when he died, the final years of his life had been marred by illness but ‘as far as humanly possible he kept on with his University duties.’ (Truth, 02.02.1927).

Contributor

Roger Ottewill (08.06.2022)

Key Words

Philology, Southampton, Southampton Record Series, Oak Book of Southampton

Any queries or further suggestions for this part of the list should be addressed to celebrating@hantsfieldclub.org.uk.

Back to Historians R-T from Ravenscroft, William to Trussell, John