The daughter of a former Strathclyde Vice-Principal has left £1 million to the University in her Will.
Charlotte Lythe, who was formerly Dean of Arts & Social Sciences at the University of Dundee and the daughter of Professor Edgar Lythe, passed away in 2021 – but her Estate has only recently been fully wound up.
She was also a major benefactor in the creation of Dundee’s Verdant Works museum, which charts the history of the jute manufacturing industry in the city.
The very generous sum Charlotte has bequeathed to Strathclyde will support the internal appointment of two Professorial Chairs, the Charlotte Lythe Chair in Humanities and the Edgar Lythe Chair in History, as well three new Chancellor’s Fellows/ Lythe Lectureships in the Department of Humanities: the Lythe Senior Lectureship in Creative Practice; Lythe Lectureship in Media Analytics; Lythe Lectureship in Race, Ethnicity and Migration.
Significant contribution
Professor Karen Boyle, Head of the Department of Humanities, said: “We are hugely thankful for Charlotte’s bequest and touched that she wanted to recognise her father’s significant contribution to Strathclyde in this way.
We are delighted to honour both Charlotte and her father, Edgar, with these eponymous Chairs and the new Lythe Lectureships.
“Edgar’s legacy at Strathclyde reflects his commitment to both scholarship and community engagement, shaping the University’s inclusive academic culture. These new posts will support the development of postgraduate teaching and research programmes and enhance our research excellence.”
Esteemed historian
Professor Edgar Lythe, who died in February 1997 aged 86, was an esteemed economic historian. Alongside Sir Kenneth Alexander, Professor Lythe founded the School of Arts and Social Studies, later serving as Dean of the Faculty of Arts for nine years and as university Vice-Principal from 1972 until his retirement in 1976.
Born in Walkington, Yorkshire, Professor Lythe joined the Royal College of Science and Technology in 1962, shortly before it transformed into the University of Strathclyde in 1964 with the award of its Royal Charter.
Professor Lythe's contributions to Scottish economic history are well-regarded; he co-authored ‘The Economic History of Scotland 1100 to 1939’ and wrote the influential ‘The Economy of Scotland in its European Setting 1560-1625.’
He also supported local historical research and education, fostering historical societies and producing community-focused historical pamphlets.