Sarolea, Charles, 1870-1953 (Professor of French and Romance Philology, University of Edinburgh)
Dates
- Existence: 1870 - 1953
Biography
Charles Sarolea was born in Tongres in the Belgian province of Limbourg on 25 October 1870. He was educated at the University of Liege. In 1894 he was appointed to the newly-founded Lectureship in French at Edinburgh University and in 1918 he became the University's first Professor of French. He held the Chair of French and Romance Philology until his resignation in 1931. University teaching had only been part of his career, for Sarolea was also a linguist, claiming a knowledge of at least eighteen languages, and also a bookman and author. His book collection of some 200,000 works was said to be the largest private library in Europe. His own authorship covered political, philosophical and literary subjects and includedThe Anglo-German problem(1912),Europe's debt to Russia(1916),Europe and the League of Nations(1919), andDaylight on Spain(1938). Sarolea became a naturalised citizen of the UK in November 1912, but for over 50 years he represented Belgium as its Consul, latterly Consul-General, in Edinburgh. French scholarship probably owes an important debt to Sarolea. He held honorary degrees from the Universities of Brussels, Montreal, and Cleveland, and received the Belgian award, Chevalier of the Belgian Order of Leopold. He died in Edinburgh on 11 March 1953.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Notes taken by William S. Mitchell at lectures by Charles Sarolea
Notes taken by William S. Mitchell at lectures on French literature given by Charles Sarolea. This is most likely William Smith Mitchell, who graduated MA in 1932.
