Eric Ives

• 1. A Boy From Romford

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  Eric William Ives entered the world on the 12th of July 1931 in Romford, Essex. He grew up within a Plymouth Brethren family that shaped his early years. His education began at Brentwood School, an all-boys public school located in Brentwood, Essex. The young student later studied history at Queen Mary College, London. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree before pursuing further studies there. Under the direction of ST Bindoff, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy. On the 24th of November 1955, national service called him to duty. He was commissioned into the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer. His service number was 2766509. He rose through the ranks to become a flight lieutenant by May 1957.

• 2. From Research To Dean

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  After two years of national service, Eric Ives worked briefly with the History of Parliament Trust. He served as a research assistant during this short period. The following four years found him as a Fellow at the University of Birmingham's Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon. In 1961, he took a position as a lecturer in Modern History at the University of Liverpool. He returned to the University of Birmingham in 1967 as a history lecturer. By 1987, he had been appointed Professor of English History and Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He held that administrative post until retiring in 1997. From 1989 until 1993, he also served as pro-vice-chancellor. This role involved significant responsibility for the overall running of the university. He led the Modern History department from 1994 until his final year of work in 1997.

• 3. The Anne Boleyn Debate

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  Eric Ives began researching Anne Boleyn about 1979. He published his findings on her life in 1986 under the title Anne Boleyn. His theories drew him into fierce debate with American historian Retha Warnicke. Warnicke wrote The Rise and Fall of Anne Boleyn in 1989 to challenge Ives's conclusions. The biography was modified and expanded for re-publication in 2004. It appeared under the new title of The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn. In 2009, he published a study of Lady Jane Grey regarding her accession and downfall. A review by Diarmaid MacCulloch for The Telegraph appeared on the 16th of July 2004. The scholarly exchange between these two historians remains a central part of Tudor studies today.

• 4. Condemned Courtiers

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  Ives wrote extensively on Tudor courtiers who suffered unjust fates. One subject was William Brereton, a Welsh land-owning magnate. Brereton was condemned to death in 1536 on false charges. The accusation claimed he was Anne Boleyn's lover. Letters & Accounts of William Brereton appeared in 1976 as one of his key works. He also explored the history of law through books like The Common Lawyers of Pre-Reformation England published in 1983. His research into Faction in Tudor England came out in 1979. These writings provided deep insight into the political dangers faced by men close to Henry VIII. They highlighted how quickly favor could turn into execution during that turbulent era.

• 5. Building Birmingham University

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  In 2001, Eric Ives received the Order of the British Empire. The award appeared in the New Year Honours list. It recognized his services to history over many decades. He died on the 25th of September 2012 after a long career. Major obituaries appeared in BBC History Magazine, The Telegraph, and The Guardian following his death. These tributes reflected his standing within the historical community. He had converted to Methodism and then Baptism during his life. In 1961, he married Ruth, and they lived in Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon. They raised two children together. He sang as

• 6. Honors And Remembrance

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  a tenor in a choir throughout his adult years. His legacy endures through his published works and the students he taught.