Browning, Andrew (1898-1972: historian, Professor of Modern History, University of Glasgow, 1931-1957)

Andrew Browning was born on 28 March 1898 , one of four sons of Daniel Browning, manufacturer, Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland. The brothers were all distinguished in their fields including David Clayton Browning (d.1978), lexicographer.

Andrew Browning was educated at Whitehill School, Glasgow, where he was dux medallist. He achieved 5th place in the University of Glasgow Entrance Bursary Examinations in 1907 . In his University studies he won first prize in every one of his History classes as well as distinctions in Political Economy, Humanity, Greek and Moral Philosophy. He graduated with First Class Honours in 1911 . He remained in Glasgow for the winter of 1911-1912 , assisting with examination work in the History department until in 1912 he was elected to the senior Brackenbury scholarship in History, at Balliol College , University of Oxford , England. He was heavily influenced by his time at Balliol. He spent 1912-1913 working on a proposed edition of Glanville's Twelfth Century treatise on the Laws of England and the following year was asked to read for Honours at Oxford where he achieved another First Class Degree.

In September 1914 , Andrew Browning was appointed assistant in History at Glasgow at a salary of GBP120 per annum to replace William Robieson, later to become editor of the Glasgow Herald. Poor eyesight meant that he was a low medical category for the Army and he did enter military service until 1917 , serving as 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery.

After the 1914-1918 World War, he returned to the University of Glasgow, succeeding Dudley Medley as Professor of History in 1931 . He served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and as convenor of the Library Committee. He refused to divorce teaching from research and his Honours classes were almost exclusively intensive studies of original sources. He was greatly loved by all his students.

His best known published works are his edition of English Historical Documents 1660-1714 ( 1953 , London ) and Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby and Duke of Leeds 1632-1712 ( 1944-1951 , London ) . His achievements were recognised by the British Academy who awarded him a Fellowship in 1955 .

He died in a fire at his home in Helensburgh, Argyll & Bute, on the 8 May 1972 .

From the guide to the Papers of Andrew Browning, 1898-1972; historian, Professor of Modern History, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1902-c1974, (Glasgow University Archive Services)