Levi Fox
Levi Fox | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 August 1914 |
| Died | 3 September 2006 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Oriel College, Oxford |
| Occupation(s) | Archivist for the city of Coventry, Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, local historian, author |
| Spouse | Jane |
| Children | 3 |
Dr. Levi Fox
Birth and early life
Fox was born on 28 August 1914 in Worthington, Leicestershire. He was the sixth of seven siblings. His father was John William Fox, a coalminer, and his mother was Julia Sophia Fox (née Stinson).[1] After attending Ashby-de-la-Zouch Grammar School where he became head boy, Fox was a Bryce research student in Oriel College, Oxford and gained a first class Honours degree in History.[2] He then spent some time doing research at the University of Manchester before being appointed the first city archivist for Coventry.[3][4]
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Declared unfit for war service, Fox was appointed Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT) in 1945 and built a loyal team around him.
The SBT can lay claim to be the oldest conservation society in Britain.
A major landmark was the opening of the Shakespeare Centre in Henley Street, next to
On the occasion of his retirement from the SBT on 26 September 1989, Fox unveiled a commemorative plaque commissioned by the Executive Committee of the Trust in recognition of his service and achievements as its director. The plaque was carved by Paul Vincze with letters by Richard James Kindersley and hangs in the foyer of the Shakespeare Centre.[2]
In retirement from the age of 75 years, as Director Emeritus of the Trust Fox continued to take great interest in its affairs. He was enthusiastic about such changes as the transition from the museum feel of the SBT's historic houses into more accurately exhibited and lively period homes. He was particularly pleased to discover in 2000 that Glebe Farm, the house he had saved from destruction, was the genuine home of Shakespeare's mother.[3]
Other activities
Fox held the position of Deputy Keeper of the Records of Stratford-Upon-Avon, and from 1949–91 he was a trustee of Harvard House, home to the mother of the founder of
He was an eminent local historian, and published extensively on the history of Stratford-upon-Avon and on the Midlands in general, serving for many years as secretary and general editor of the Dugdale Society.[1]
Bibliography
Personal life
Fox and his wife Jane, whom he married in 1938, had three children. Two of whom were twin girls that worked at Barclays Bank in Stratford Upon Avon.
He possessed entrepreneurial, organisational and communication skills and academic abilities. For example; on the night of 14 November 1940, when a German air raid destroyed much of Coventry, he took on the task of food distribution with great efficiency.
Fox died 3 September 2006 at the age of 92 years.[3]
Notes
References
- Fogg, Nicholas (12 October 2006). "Obituary: Levi Fox". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- Fox, Levi (1957). Coventry's Heritage. Birmingham: Journal Printing Office.
- Noszlopy, George T. (2003). Public Sculpture of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. Liverpool: ISBN 0-85323-847-2.
- Pringle, Roger (7 March 2013). "Fox, Levi (1914–2006)". doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/97403. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
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