J.R.T. Pollard Papers

The collection consists of diaries and papers of J.R.T. Pollard. The diaries include details of the author's extensive travel, particularly in Europe and observations regarding his years of army service in Africa (1941-1945). They contain enclosures, such as letters, cards, and press cuttings and there are also envelopes containing material similar to the diary enclosures, arranged by the author.

Also contains a bundle of examination papers taken (and passed) by J.R.T. Pollard during the period 1932-1939 and includes Higher School Certificate papers of the University of Cambridge Board, University of London matriculation and intermediate examination papers and papers of the University of London MA examination (Classics). Also included is a covering note (dated 18 June 1987) from J.R.T. Pollard to Tomos Roberts, former Archivist at the Department of Manuscripts, Bangor University, containing a curriculum vitae for the period 1932-1939.

The collection also contains a typescript copy of a work by Mr Pollard entitled Dis, Dons and Doers: Encounters with famous or interesting people and a bundle of letters and newspaper cuttings regarding people mentioned in the volume. There is also a copy of a published autobiographical work entitled No County to Compare: Memories of a Herefordshire Childhood between the Wars, (1994).

John Richard Thornhill Pollard was born in 1914 and spent his early childhood in Herefordshire, arriving there as a baby in 1915 when his father became manager of a draper's shop in Hereford. The family moved a few years later to Weobley, then an isolated village to set up a shop there. He was educated at the Hereford High School for Boys and the King's School, Ottery-St-Mary, gaining an MA in Classics from the University of London. He was commissioned in the Devonshire Regiment in 1939 and served in the forces in Africa, returning to do an MLitt at Exeter College, Oxford after the war. He subsequently pursued an academic career, initially at St Andrews University (1948-49), and at the University College of North Wales (now known as the University of Wales, Bangor) as lecturer and senior lecturer in classics from 1949-82 and 1987-89.

John Pollard is author of numerous articles and books including Journey To The Styx (1955), Helen Of Troy (1965), Seers, Shrines And Sirens: The Greek Religious Revolution In The Sixth Century BC (1965), The Long Safari (1967), Birds In Greek Life And Myth (1977) and an autobiographical work No County to Compare: Memories of a Herefordshire Childhood between the Wars, (1994).

He has travelled extensively and been active in sport throughout his life. He is married and has four children.

Material was received at different times. It is arranged according to type, then chronologically and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts.

Open to all users

Description compiled by Anne Lenaghan, August 2001

Item level word processed list is available at the Department of Manuscripts at the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 32192-32258, 35952-35954, 36347, 38930-38948, 38952, 39076

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

An autobiographical work has been published entitled No County to Compare: Memories of a Herefordshire Childhood between the Wars, (1994)