Policy Press
22 Helping American scholars on British topics
Abstract
Titmuss, despite his ever mounting commitments, was generous with his time, and this applied to other academics, both junior and well established. This chapter examines his support for American scholars working on British subjects. This could take the form of, for example, advice on sources, supplying suitable contacts, reading manuscripts, or facilitating a collaborative project. A number of the individuals involved were visitors to the LSE and, on occasion, Titmuss’s home, and all went on to, or were already pursuing, distinguished academic careers in the US. While Titmuss undoubtedly gave his support for unselfish reasons, nonetheless the establishment of further contacts in American academia can only have added to his transatlantic networks. It is not suggested that the individuals discussed below were the only American scholars Titmuss aided. Rather, each illustrates the generosity of Titmuss’s collegial approach to academic life, and the perception of him as an authority on social welfare. It is the case, too, that these Titmuss-inspired, or aided, works can be viewed as commentaries on American social policy, something with which Titmuss himself was intimately engaged, and the subject of the next chapter. Equally, some of Titmuss’s comments further illuminate his perceptions of contemporary British society. We have already encountered our first recipient of Titmuss’s support, Hugh Heclo, later Professor of Government at Harvard University, who had worked for Titmuss during the latter’s membership of the Finer Committee. Titmuss had been instrumental in Heclo’s appointment, and was clearly keen to promote the young American’s career.
Abstract
Titmuss, despite his ever mounting commitments, was generous with his time, and this applied to other academics, both junior and well established. This chapter examines his support for American scholars working on British subjects. This could take the form of, for example, advice on sources, supplying suitable contacts, reading manuscripts, or facilitating a collaborative project. A number of the individuals involved were visitors to the LSE and, on occasion, Titmuss’s home, and all went on to, or were already pursuing, distinguished academic careers in the US. While Titmuss undoubtedly gave his support for unselfish reasons, nonetheless the establishment of further contacts in American academia can only have added to his transatlantic networks. It is not suggested that the individuals discussed below were the only American scholars Titmuss aided. Rather, each illustrates the generosity of Titmuss’s collegial approach to academic life, and the perception of him as an authority on social welfare. It is the case, too, that these Titmuss-inspired, or aided, works can be viewed as commentaries on American social policy, something with which Titmuss himself was intimately engaged, and the subject of the next chapter. Equally, some of Titmuss’s comments further illuminate his perceptions of contemporary British society. We have already encountered our first recipient of Titmuss’s support, Hugh Heclo, later Professor of Government at Harvard University, who had worked for Titmuss during the latter’s membership of the Finer Committee. Titmuss had been instrumental in Heclo’s appointment, and was clearly keen to promote the young American’s career.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Acronyms x
- Acknowledgements xi
- Introduction 1
-
Early life and career to the end of 1941
- ‘As the son of a farmer…’: origins, early employment, and personal life 19
- Politics: the Liberal Party, the ‘Fleet Street Parliament’, and Forward March 33
- The Eugenics Society, Poverty and Population, and ‘Manpower and Health’ 51
- The Titmuss gospel and progressive opinion 69
-
From Problems of Social Policy to the London School of Economics
- Problems of Social Policy: researching and firewatching 85
- Titmuss and the Eugenics Society in war 109
- Titmuss and the media in the 1940s: a growing reputation 125
- Population and family: Parents Revolt and the beginnings of social medicine 137
- The London School of Economics and ‘Social Administration in a Changing Society’ 155
-
First decade at the LSE
- Setting out his stall 173
- The Guillebaud Committee and the early years of the National Health Service 189
- Pensions and old age 205
- ‘We have our differences and do not always see eye to eye’: social work and social work training 227
- Essays on ‘The Welfare State’ and The Irresponsible Society 251
-
Power and influence: Titmuss, 1960 to 1973
- ‘The apostle of equality’: Titmuss and R.H. Tawney 273
- Mental health, community care, and medical education 289
- Mauritius, Tanganyika (Tanzania), and Israel 307
- Scottish social work and the Seebohm Committee 331
- Commitment to Welfare and the Finer Committee on One-Parent Families 349
- Titmuss and North America: early encounters and first visit 369
- Helping American scholars on British topics 387
- Titmuss and President Johnson’s ‘War on Poverty’ 403
- ‘One of the greatest human beings of our time’: Titmuss’s influence on North American thinking on social welfare 423
-
Troubles?
- The Labour government, social policy, and the Supplementary Benefits Commission 441
- A public figure in troubled times: Vietnam, race relations, and the Common Market 467
- Healthcare, the market, and the Institute of Economic Affairs: the making of The Gift Relationship 483
- ‘It really is hell’: disruption at the LSE 505
- ‘A new prophet had appeared in our midst’: final illness, death, and memorial service 523
-
Conclusion
- A commitment to welfare: the life and work of Richard Titmuss 541
- Publications by Richard Titmuss cited in this volume (not including letters to the press, editorials, typescripts/drafts and book reviews) 559
- Frequently cited secondary sources 565
- Archival sources* 566
- Index 567
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Acronyms x
- Acknowledgements xi
- Introduction 1
-
Early life and career to the end of 1941
- ‘As the son of a farmer…’: origins, early employment, and personal life 19
- Politics: the Liberal Party, the ‘Fleet Street Parliament’, and Forward March 33
- The Eugenics Society, Poverty and Population, and ‘Manpower and Health’ 51
- The Titmuss gospel and progressive opinion 69
-
From Problems of Social Policy to the London School of Economics
- Problems of Social Policy: researching and firewatching 85
- Titmuss and the Eugenics Society in war 109
- Titmuss and the media in the 1940s: a growing reputation 125
- Population and family: Parents Revolt and the beginnings of social medicine 137
- The London School of Economics and ‘Social Administration in a Changing Society’ 155
-
First decade at the LSE
- Setting out his stall 173
- The Guillebaud Committee and the early years of the National Health Service 189
- Pensions and old age 205
- ‘We have our differences and do not always see eye to eye’: social work and social work training 227
- Essays on ‘The Welfare State’ and The Irresponsible Society 251
-
Power and influence: Titmuss, 1960 to 1973
- ‘The apostle of equality’: Titmuss and R.H. Tawney 273
- Mental health, community care, and medical education 289
- Mauritius, Tanganyika (Tanzania), and Israel 307
- Scottish social work and the Seebohm Committee 331
- Commitment to Welfare and the Finer Committee on One-Parent Families 349
- Titmuss and North America: early encounters and first visit 369
- Helping American scholars on British topics 387
- Titmuss and President Johnson’s ‘War on Poverty’ 403
- ‘One of the greatest human beings of our time’: Titmuss’s influence on North American thinking on social welfare 423
-
Troubles?
- The Labour government, social policy, and the Supplementary Benefits Commission 441
- A public figure in troubled times: Vietnam, race relations, and the Common Market 467
- Healthcare, the market, and the Institute of Economic Affairs: the making of The Gift Relationship 483
- ‘It really is hell’: disruption at the LSE 505
- ‘A new prophet had appeared in our midst’: final illness, death, and memorial service 523
-
Conclusion
- A commitment to welfare: the life and work of Richard Titmuss 541
- Publications by Richard Titmuss cited in this volume (not including letters to the press, editorials, typescripts/drafts and book reviews) 559
- Frequently cited secondary sources 565
- Archival sources* 566
- Index 567
