R. G. Collingwood: An Autobiography and other writings with essays on Collingwood's life and work

by Boucher, David; Smith, Teresa

• ISBN13: 9780199586035
• ISBN10: 0199586039
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2014-01-28
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This volume presents a many-faceted view of the Oxford philosopher R. G. Collingwood. At its center is his Autobiography, published in 1939, which has the status of a cult classic for its compelling "story of his thought". Collingwood's work has enjoyed renewed attention in recent years, with new editions of his great philosophical works. This volume republishes the Autobiography alongside a previously unpublished account by Collingwood of a journey to the East Indies in 1938-1939. These writings are accompanied by eleven specially written essays. Several of these examine aspects of Collingwood's life--not just the Autobiography, but what he doesn't discuss in that work, from his childhood to his professorship at Oxford. And the essays also examine aspects of his work on philosophy, politics, history, and archaeology, in the context of his life.

Author Biography

David Boucher, Cardiff University,Teresa Smith, University of Oxford

David Boucher is Head of the School of European Languages, Translation, and Politics, and Dean of the School of Lifelong Learning at Cardiff University. He has been Chairman of the Collingwood Society since 1993 and has published widely on all aspects of Collingwood's thought. His most recent books are The Limits of Ethics in International Relations (Oxford University Press, 2009) and British Idealism: A Guide for the Perplexed (with Andrew Vincent, Continuum, 2011).


Teresa Smith is R. G. Collingwood's daughter by his second wife, Kate Collingwood. From the late 1960s she worked as a university lecturer in the Department of Social and Administrative Studies at Oxford, and was head of the Oxford Department of Social Policy and Social Work for ten years and fellow of St Hilda's College. She advised the House of Commons Select Committee for Education on early education during the Labour administration. Her publications include 'From educational priority areas to area-based interventions: community, neighbourhood and preschool', in Edwards, R ed. Researching families and communities: social and generational change (Routledge, 2008); 'Whatever happened to EPAs? Part 2: Educational Priority Areas forty years on', Forum, (2007, with Smith G, and Smith, Tom); and Smith, T. et al. The Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative National Evaluation: Final Integrated Report. London: Sure Start / DfES; Smith GAN and Smith T. (2006).

Table of Contents

Notes on Contributors
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction: The Biography of An Autobiography, David Boucher and Teresa Smith
PART I: R. G. Collingwood, An Autobiography
Commentaries
1. Collingwood's Childhood: Habits of Thought, Teresa Smith
2. The Oxford Man, James Patrick
3. Collingwood's Critique of Oxbridge Realism, Michael Beaney
4. Collingwood as Archaeologist and Historian, Tony Birley
5. Collingwood's Philosophy of History in the Year of his Autobiography, Jan van der Dussen
6. The Historicity of Thought, Bruce Haddock
7. From Method to Metaphysics, Rex Martin
8. Collingwood and European Liberalism, David Boucher
9. Collingwood Controversies, James Connelly
10. The Autobiography as Literature, Philip Smallwood
PART II: R. G. Collingwood, Log of a Journey in the East Indies, 1938-1939
Commentary
A Philosopher's Journey: Collingwood's voyage to the East Indies 1938-39, and its relation to An Autobiography and other writings, Wendy James
R. G. Collingwood, A letter from Bali to his sister Barbara Gnosspelius, 23 December 1938