Philip Reynolds, who passed away at the age of 89, was an influential figure in the field of international history. He joined the London School of Economics after World War II and was one of the pioneers in treating international relations as a separate branch of social sciences. He recognized the need to approach the subject from a multidisciplinary perspective and drew on all available tools. This methodology is still evident in the way international relations are taught and researched today.
Later in his career, Reynolds took on administrative roles in universities. He became the head of Lancaster University in 1978, just as universities were facing a difficult economic period. Despite the challenges, Reynolds was successful in safeguarding its economic stability and strengthening its academic base. Thanks to his efforts, Lancaster University is now recognized as one of the top research universities in the UK.
Reynolds was born in Worthing, West Sussex, and attended local schools before receiving an open scholarship to study modern history at Queen’s College, Oxford. He was highly focused on his studies but also kept abreast of international developments. He was outraged by the 1938 Munich agreement that allowed German annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland. He felt that power-political considerations should never take precedence over legal and moral obligations. Similarly, he protested against the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In 1939, Reynolds registered himself as a conscientious objector to protest against the Munich deal. However, when Britain retreated from the continent in 1940, he withdrew his registration and joined the army. He served as a subaltern in an anti-aircraft battery and was later deployed to Egypt. In 1944, Reynolds volunteered for a mission in the Balkans to provide relief and establish order in Greece, Yugoslavia and Albania as the Germans retreated. He was among the few trained historians in the team and was tasked with creating a detailed record of the operation. However, the report was kept secret, and Reynolds speculated that this was because of American suspicions about British activity in the region.
After demobilization, Reynolds joined the London School of Economics in 1946 as a lecturer in international history. He wrote his first book on British foreign policy in the interwar years while at the LSE. He co-founded the British International Studies Association and its journal, the British International Studies Review. He first became the Woodrow Wilson Professor of International Politics at University College Wales, Aberystwyth in 1950, taking over from EH Carr. Reynolds built the department up and expanded the undergraduate program. By the time he left, Aberystwyth was seen as a major center for international relations.
In 1964, Reynolds joined the team that established Lancaster University. He became the senior pro-vice chancellor and professor of politics. Despite his administrative duties, he continued to teach first-year students and delivered a final-year course on contemporary international relations theory. He distills his thoughts on the subject in his book, An Introduction to International Relations. The text offers a theoretical framework for the subject and has been translated into multiple languages. Many have reported that Reynolds’ book helped them understand international relations better.
Reynolds was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University in 1978, following Charles Carter’s retirement. Reynolds successfully established a corporate spirit at Lancaster, which contrasted with the corporate management present in other universities. He became an influential figure in the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and chaired the committee on common academic standards, where he made recommendations that have helped shape higher education in the UK.
In the year 1986, Reynolds was granted the esteemed title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He dutifully served as a deputy Lord Lieutenant for Lancashire for an extended period. Following his passing, Reynolds is fondly remembered by his wife, Mollie, their daughter, and their two sons who continue to cherish his legacy.
