Philip Morris Papers

The papers relating to Sir Philip Morris are divided up into two main sections: Papers relating to non-University of Bristol Committees on which Morris stood and University of Bristol material. As Morris was Vice-Chancellor from 1946 until 1966 his activities are present throughout the papers of the University for this period. Included are correspondence, University Committee papers, administrative papers, photographs, and papers relating to official university functions such as degree congregation ceremonies and visits by dignitaries. There is also a certain amount of material relating to work relationships with colleagues. Morris was Vice-Chancellor under two Chancellors, Sir Winston Churchill (to 1965) and the 10th Duke of Beaufort (from 1965), and papers are present recording these relationships.

Sir Philip Robert Morris was born 6 July 1901, the younger son of Meschach Charles Morris, HM Inspector of Schools. He obtained a Second Class in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Trinity College, Oxford, in 1923, a Teacher's Diploma at London University in 1924, and became a lecturer in classics and history at Westminster Training College from 1923-1925. He then joined the Kent Education Authority, rising to the position of Director in 1938, and was appointed CBE in 1941. In 1944, he was appointed to the newly created position of Director-General of Army Education, which he held from 1944-1946 with the aim of building a bridge between the experiences of war and the return of servicemen to ordinary lives in peacetime. In 1946 he was knighted and appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, a post which he held until 1966. In 1960 he was created KCMG. He served on many non-University committees including the Committee on the Supply and Training of Teachers (1943-1944) chaired by Sir Arnold McNair, was chairman of the Vice-Chancellors' Committee from 1955-1958, and sat on the Robbins Committee on Higher Education (1961-1964) amongst others. He was Chairman of the Bristol Old Vic Trust from 1946-1971, as well as a governor of the BBC from 1952-1960. He married Florence Redvers Davies in 1926, with whom he had two sons and two daughters. He died at Bryncoedifor, 21 November 1979.

Accessible to all bona fide readers.

Compiled by Martin Hall, Assistant Archivist, University of Bristol Information Services - Special Collections.

Typescript catalogue available in Special Collections.

Permission to copy material must be obtained from the University of Bristol Information Services - Special Collections.

See DM 1921 - "Sir Philip Morris: Reform and Pragmatism in Educational Administration, 1925-1966", by Dr. Peter King.