Robson , William Alexander , 1895-1980 , Professor of Public Administration

William Alexander Robson 1895-1980, was educated at Peterborough Lodge School, but left at 15 to work as a clerk. During World War One (1914-1918) he served in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, 1915-19. Robson entered the London School of Economics in 1919; B.Sc. (Econ.), first-class honours, 1922; Ph.D., 1924; LLM, 1928. He was called to the bar (Lincoln's Inn)in 1922. From 1926-1933 he was a lecturer in industrial and administrative law at the LSE. he was a reader in administrative law, 1933-1947, and became the first professor of public administration, London University, 1947-1962. He was also a founder and joint editor of 'Political Quarterly', 1930-1975, with Leonard Woolf as co-editor, 1931-1959. Robson was an active member of the Fabian Society, and played a leading role in the creation of the Greater London Council, 1963. During World War Two (1939-1945) Robson worked in the Mines Department and other government ministries. From 1950-1953 he was president of the International Political Science Association. His publications include: Aircraft in War and Peace (1916); The Town Councillor (in collaboration with Clement Attlee, 1925); Justice and Administrative Law(1928); Civilization and the Growth of Law (1935); The Government and Misgovernment of London (1939); Great Cities of the World (1954); Local Government in Crisis (1966); Nationalized Industry and Public Ownership (1960); Welfare State and Welfare Society (1976).