Alec Clegg (Sir)
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The following source list was originally available only on paper in one of the West Yorkshire Archive Service offices. It may have been compiled many years ago and could be out of date. It was designed to act as a signpost to records of interest on a particular historical subject, but may relate only to one West Yorkshire district, or be an incomplete list of sources available. Please feel free to add or update with any additional information. |
Sir Alexander Bradshaw Clegg, also known as Alec Clegg (born June 13, 1909, in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England - died January 20, 1986 in Yorkshire, England) became the innovative Chief Education Officer of the West Riding of Yorkshire County Council for whom he worked from 1945 to 1974.
Clegg, the son of a Derbyshire schoolmaster, attended Long Eaton Grammar School, Bootham School in York then went on to Clare College, Cambridge, where he took a degree in modern languages. When he completed his degree he went on to the London Day Training College. He got a job at St Clement Danes' Holborn Estate Grammar School where he taught French and games between 1932 and 1937.
Between 1939 and 1945 Clegg worked for Birmingham, Cheshire and Worcestershire education authorities before being appointed, in 1945, to the post of Deputy Chief Education Officer of the West Riding at the age of 34. The West Riding started on the road to becoming a pioneering and innovative authority when later that year he was appointed Chief Education Officer.
He was instrumental in founding Bretton Hall College which opened in 1949. His focus was always on children as learners.
His papers reflect his role as educational reformist, administrator and arbitor. A series of reports and letters refer to a dispute at Bingley College of Education between the Principal, staff and students (ref:WRD5/6/92). There are a number of documents referring to the dismissal of the Principal Mrs G Gunn and the student strike in 1968.
Clegg was knighted in the birthday honours listed of June 1965.
Papers of Sir Alec Clegg are held at West Yorkshire Archive Service in Wakefield, reference WRD5.