Ashley , Sir , William James , 1860-1927 , Knight , economic historian

Ashley was born in London on 25 February 1860 and was educated at St Olave's School in Southwark and at Balliol College Oxford. He was then appointed Lecturer at Lincoln College Oxford from 1885 to 1888. From 1888 to 1892 he was Professor of Political Economy at Toronto University; 1892 to 1901 Professor of Economic History at Harvard; and 1901 to 1925 Professor of Commerce at Birmingham University. From 1899 to 1920 Ashley was also an Examiner in history, economics and commerce in the Universities of Cambridge, London, Durham, Wales and Ireland. During his life, Ashley was on many committees. He received a knighthood in 1917. His many publications were mainly concerned with economic history. He died on 23 July 1927.