Correspondence and Papers of Robin LD Rees
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2016 Daniel Reed for The Burgon Society THE BURGON SOCIETY CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS OF ROBIN OF L. D. REES Historical Background This collection was formed by Dr Robin L. D. Rees, researcher, designer of academic dress, and fellow of the Burgon Society. In 1978, Dr Rees succeeded Alan E. Birt as editor of Hoodata, an occasional newsletter of the Academic and Theological Hood Study Group. In the 1980s, Dr Rees was invited to be a co-author of a revised edition of Prof Hugh H. Smith’s Academic Dress and Insignia of the World . Custodial History Main sequence of correspondence arranged chronologically at REES/1/1, with a separate sequence relating to the academic dress of world universities located at REES/1/2. Additional correspondence of Dr Rees can be found at BIRT/2/3/1-13, and U/LOND. Other personal papers not strictly relating to academic dress are located at REES/2. Copies of Hoodata have been grouped together at REES/3. Other notes, printed items and miscellaneous research materials not entered into the above sequences are located at REES/4. Description This collection comprises correspondence and research materials relating to Dr Rees’s contributions to the study of academic dress. It also includes correspondence and other papers relating to Dr Rees’s role as a co-author of the revised edition of Prof Hugh H. Smith’s Academic Dress and Insignia of the World . This role was described by Dr Rees as, ‘primarily to clear up queries concerning the U.K. and to act as a forwarding agent for letter from universities in countries hostile to South Africa’ (REES/1/1/40). There are also a small number of issues of Hoodata , of which Rees was editor. Arrangement REES/1 Correspondence REES/2 Other personal documents REES/3 Hoodata REES/4 Other research materials Dates 1962-1993 Extent Four files 1 Copyright © 2016 The Burgon Society 2016 Daniel Reed for The Burgon Society REES/1 - CORRESPONDENCE REES/1/1 - CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO ACADEMIC DRESS REES/1/1/1 Bundle of correspondence 21 Oct 1975-1985 Copy letter from R. W. Flack, Assistant Secretary, Royal Institute of Chemistry, to, Robin L. D. Rees, Maidenhead, 21 Oct 1975. Refers to the introduction of academic dress at the Institute. Copy letter from R. W. Flack, to, Robin L. D. Rees, 18 Feb 1976. Refers to Rees’s letter on academic dress in the Physics Bulletin. Also gives a timeline of the process by which academic dress was adopted at the Institute of Chemistry. ‘Academic Dress – A Possible Extension?’ by Robin L. D. Rees, June 1977 (revised Aug 1977). Discusses the potential benefits, precedents, and suggested procedures for the adoption of academic dress by the Institute of Physics. ‘Criteria of Academic Dress Design, Institute of Physics’ [c. 1970s]. Resolution of the Professional Board of the British Computer Society, 16 May 1985. Refers to proposals for the design and adoption of academic dress. REES/1/1/2 ‘Academic Dress for the Institute of Biology’ 22 Nov 1978 Specifications provided by J. Wippell & Co. Ltd. 2 Copyright © 2016 The Burgon Society 2016 Daniel Reed for The Burgon Society REES/1/1/3 Bundle of correspondence 17 Apr – 18 Oct 1979 Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, J. Southall, Registrar, British Computer Society, 17 Apr 1979. Lists other organisations which have recently adopted academic/official dress for their members. Refers to the adoption of academic dress by the Institute of Physics because ‘its graduands appeared inferior to those who had taken R.I.C. or C.N.A.A. qualifications’. Also, ‘if the B.C.S. permits its name to appear in somewhat childish slogans on tee-shirts, then perhaps the introduction of academic/official/formal dress would restore the credibility of it as a professional Society!’ Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, J. Southall, 18 Oct 1979. Includes proposals for the academic dress of the British Computer Society, with diagrams. REES/1/1/4 Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, Computer Centre, 1 Nov 1979 Imperial College, to, E. P. Cox Suggests amendments to the regulations on academic dress for Imperial College, London. REES/1/1/5 Letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, E. P. Cox 2 Mar 1980 Content similar to REES/1/1/4, but with further additions. REES/1/1/6 Bundle of correspondence 15 Mar 1980 – 20 June 1981 Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, V. W. D. Hale, University of York, 15 Mar 1980. Refers to joining the British Computer Society in 1978 as a Licentiate, and correspondence with J. Southall advocating for the adoption of academic dress by the Society. Also refers to designing academic dress for the Institute of Physics, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Certificate of Music, and London M.Phil. degree. Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, J. Southall, 20 June 1981. Refers to the introduction of a GradBCS grade, and the case for the adoption of academic dress by the British Computer Society. 3 Copyright © 2016 The Burgon Society 2016 Daniel Reed for The Burgon Society REES/1/1/7 Letter from John E. Goldingay, Registrar, St. John’s 17 Apr 1980 College, Nottingham, to, Robin L. D. Rees Refers to proposals for alterations to academic dress for St. John’s College, including the re-establishment of ‘the pre-1882 college hood’ or the introduction of a new L.Th. hood. REES/1/1/8 Letter from G. K. Baker, Director, J. Wippell & 23 Mar 1981 Company Ltd., Exeter, to, Robin L. D. Rees Refers to inquiries about a hood for the Institute of Physics. Also refers to proposals to include the leaflet, ‘How to Wear a Full Shaped Hood’, when supplying hoods. ‘I think the biggest culprits at Degree Ceremonies are the Staff. I have robed many over the years as you know, and then they let the Hood swing at all angles and never seem to want to straighten it up after they have been sitting.’ REES/1/1/9 Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, Hall Bros., 28 Apr 1981 Oxford Refers to the similarities between the hoods of St. Stephen’s House and St. John’s College, Nottingham. Describes the St. John’s hood as Oxford Simple shape, with a scarlet border. Offer thanks for sending a sample of the St. Stephen’s bordering material. REES/1/1/10 Bundle of correspondence July – Nov 1981 Copy letter from Alan E. Birt, RAF Northolt, to, Mr Lucas, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, July 1981. Suggests the adoption of academic dress by the Royal Society of Arts. Refers to having prepared a proposed scheme of academic dress for the Society, and has arranged for a sample hood to be made by a robemaker. Gives details of the suggested scheme of academic dress. Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, Mr Lucas, Secretary, Royal Society of Arts, 12 Aug 1981. Refers to the Society’s inability to support Alan E. Birt’s proposals for academic dress for fellows of the Royal Society. Presents arguments in favour of Birt’s Propositions to the Society. Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, 8 Nov 1981. Directed to ‘Dame Margaret. Encloses the above letters concerning the Royal Society of Arts. 4 Copyright © 2016 The Burgon Society 2016 Daniel Reed for The Burgon Society REES/1/1/11 Copy letter from W. Hansen, Registrar, to, the 21 July 1981 Manager, the British Colour Council, London Refers to an order for ‘The British Colour Council Dictionary of Colour Standards’. REES/1/1/12 Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, E. R. Dobbs, 12 Aug 1981 Department of Physics, Bedford College, London Proposes the adoption of academic dress for Associate Members of the Institute of Physics. REES/1/1/13 Copy letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, the Academic 19 Sept 1981 Registrar, University of Durham Refers to co-authorship of the UK section of a new edition of Hugh Smith’s Academic Dress and Insignia of the World . Seeks clarification on a number of aspects of the academic dress of the University of Durham. ‘Durham is, I think, unique in not specifying in its regulations the shape of hoods despite the fact that the shape varies from degree to degree’. REES/1/1/14 Letter from Roland Dobbs, Honorary Secretary, Institute 22 Sept 1981 of Physics, to Robin L. D. Rees Thanks Rees for his proposals relating to academic dress for the new grade of Associate Members of the Institute, but states that this must wait until new By-Laws have been approved by the Privy Council. REES/1/1/15 Letter from I. E. Graham, Registrar and Secretary, 23 Sept 1981 University of Durham, to, Robin L. D. Rees Refers to the new degree of Master of Theology. Also refers to the discontinuation of Durham Doctors wearing habits; ‘I can only imagine that it arose out of the secularisation of the University which took place mainly just prior to World War I.’ REES/1/1/16 Letter from Robin L. D. Rees, to, Steve and Kate 5 Oct 1981 Refers to an order of gowns and hoods to be delivered to Christ the King. 5 Copyright © 2016 The Burgon Society 2016 Daniel Reed for The Burgon Society REES/1/1/17 Letter from Pauline Brown, Assistant Principal 8 Oct 1981 (Academic Administration), Moray House College of Education, Edinburgh, to, Robin L. D. Rees Refers to enclosing a copy of a minute from the meeting of Scottish College of Education Principals relating to academic dress.