Rev. Dr Alan Richardson, 1905-1975

Alan Richardson was born in Wigan, Lancashire in 1905 and educated at the University of Liverpool, where he graduated in Philosophy in 1927. He studied at Exeter College, Oxford for a doctorate in divinity before moving to Cambo, Northumberland as vicar. He was a canon of Durham Cathedral from 1938 until 1953.

His academic career at the University of Nottingham began in 1953, when he became Professor and head of the Department of Christian Theology, a role he occupied until 1964. From 1962 to 1964 he was also Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He left the University to take up the office of Dean of York, which he held until his death in 1975.

Richardson was active in the work of many organisations. He had a particular interest in the challenge of making theological subjects accessible to a lay audience, and was active in giving public lectures, and media broadcasts. He played a significant role in the Student Christian Movement and the World Council of Churches and travelled widely, visiting churches and giving lectures in every continent. He was made a Knight of the British Empire. He died in 1975.

Richardson published extensively, producing twenty-four books, contributing numerous articles and reviews to theological journals, and editing a number of works. His first book, 'Creeds in the Making', was published by the Student Christian Movement in 1935. Other titles included 'The Redemption of Modernism' (1935), 'History and the Kingdom of God' (1939), and 'The Political Christ' (1973). His publications included topics of scriptural exegesis, the New Testament, church history, and the meeting ground between science and Christian apologetics.

From the guide to the Papers of Rev. Dr Alan Richardson (1905-1975), theologian, 1935-1975, 1935-1975, (The University of Nottingham)