Barnard, H. C. (educational historian) – papers
Introduction
Howard Clive Barnard (1884–1985) was a educational historian who was based at University of Reading in the Department of Education from 1937 until his retirement in 1951.
Born in the City of London, he was the only child of journalist Howard Barnard and Sarah Ann Haggis. His family had a long history dating back to the 18th century as silversmiths in London, connected to the Goldsmiths’ Company. He was the sixth generation in his family to become a member of the company and a freeman of the City of London by inheritance.
Barnard was educated at University College School and Brasenose College, Oxford, where he pursued postgraduate studies in geography and education. Barnard’s career included roles as a schoolmaster and headmaster before becoming a professor of education at Reading University in 1937. His scholarly work focused on French education, with notable publications such as “The French Tradition in Education” (1922) and “Education and the French Revolution” (1969).
For 30 years after his retirement, Barnard continued to engage with the university community, regularly playing the organ in the Great Hall on the London Road Campus, and was given an honorary DLitt by Reading University in 1974. He passed away on September 12, 1985, near Godalming, Surrey, at the age of 101.
Source: Wilson, R. (2004, September 23). Barnard, Howard Clive (1884–1985), educational historian. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 25 Apr. 2025, from https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-30790.
Contents
There are two series of records related to Barnard.
Personal and family papers (HCB A), which mainly consists of a series of volumes titled “The Omnibus” magazine (HCB A/1), which were created and contributed to by Barnard, his family members, and friends, before his career at University of Reading. These volumes span from 1898 to 1906 and include handwritten and hand-drawn works by various contributors. The magazine would then be circulated to members subscribed to “The Omnibus Art and Literature Association” (11 volumes). There is also a certificate for Freedom of the City of London for Howard Clive Barnard dated 1906 (HCB A/2).
There is a series of academic papers from Barnard’s professorship at University of Reading that are currently uncatalogued (11 boxes).
Series of arrangement
HCB A Personal and Family Papers
HCB A/1 The Omnibus volumes by Professor H C Barnard with family members and friends, 1898-[1908], 11 volumes
HCB A/2 Certificate for Freedom of the City of London via the Goldsmiths’ Company for Howard Clive Barnard, 1906, 1 certificate