| Admin/Biog History | Sir Robert Birley (1903-1982) was an English educationalist who was Headmaster of Charterhouse School, then Eton College, and an anti-apartheid campaigner. He acquired the nickname "Red Robert", as even his moderate liberal politics caused concern for the conservative members of the Eton school of governors. He began his career as a history master at Eton in 1926 where he taught the subject to Nicolson.
Journals in the archive reveal that Birley remained in touch with Nicolson following the latter's departure from Eton. He regularly invited Nicolson to stay in his family home; met Nicolson in London; at Oxford and also visited Sissinghurst. The journal entry for 3 April 1935 reveals the special nature of their relationship: 'I have never had a pupil to whom I felt quite so attached as to Ben'. |