File relating to the Department of Linguistics. Most of the file is concerned with the administration of the Mont Follick legacy, which underpinned the Department's funding. Mont Follick (1887-1958) was a former Labour MP for Loughborough (1945-1955) and an enthusiast for spelling reform. On his death, he left the sum of £100,000 to endow a chair in linguistics with a provision that the holder be required to teach spelling reform. The University of Manchester eventually acquired this legacy, and the file is concerned with the University's efforts to realise Follick's requirements, while ensuring that linguistics could be taught with appropriate academic rigour. William Haas (1915-1997) was appointed to the chair in 1963 and remained in post until his retirement in 1979.
Former reference: 391