Sir Ivor Jennings Archives

Sir Ivor Jennings – “University is a community with a life and spirit of its own” Ivor Jennings “University is a community with a life and spirit of its own” Ivor Jennings Sir William Ivor Jennings, KBE, QC, FBA (1903 –1965) Prominent educator, Originator of University of Ceylon and Vice Chancellor (1942–54) was not an elitist. From humble beginnings he worked his way through scholarships to Cambridge, where he excelled first in mathematics and then in law, ending with first classes in both. He was a left leaning liberal, thus, it was not his objective, to build university of Ceylon for the sons and daughters of the elite class. It was an elite university that he dreamed of, a place to nurture people of moral and intellectual stature, a place to produce the future leaders, for the independent nation. Peradeniya had the ideal setting for Jennings’ aspiration. He concentrated on his ...

A history never too cold Source:DailyNews In 1969 Colombo Cold Stores celebrated its Diamond Jubilee by bringing out a small book (155 Pages) on the “history” of Ceylon from 1894 to 1969. Naturally, Cold Stores being a business entity, the booklet is focused heavily on the then business leaders and commercial developments that took place during the period. The references, particularly as to the early years are predominantly from European sources; the idea of keeping notes, records and diaries being unfamiliar to the native population.Nevertheless, the book can be read with interest for its historical perspective. Most “histories” are about kings and their courts. ‘Ceylon from 1894-1969’ on the other hand, endeavours to give the reader a more vivid picture of the times, of various personalities and events, opinions and attitudes, that would not generally make into a standard history book. It gives him an insight into a part of ...