Reminiscences of Seven Decades

Abstract

The following chapter is compiled from reminiscences sent by Senior Members, in answer to an appeal for written memories of life at St Hugh’s. Each person on the College mailing list was sent a sheet of questions concerning their time at St Hugh’s, and Oxford, to jog their memories, and help them formulate their ideas. 358 Senior Members replied. Some wrote at great length, making use of diaries and their letters home, as well as their own memories. Others wrote a few comments on the ‘prompt sheet’. All have been used though not necessarily quoted. It would have been simpler to ‘distil’ each decade, using reported speech and only occasionally quoting; but it was decided to let as many contributors as possible speak for themselves, as it seemed more important to give the flavour of individual reminiscences. This policy is reflected in the lack of balance between decades; for some, notably the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, produced more contributors.