Reference code
BC1072
Title
Sir Richard Luyt Papers
Date(s)
- 1929-1994 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
ca.3500 items
Name of creator
(1915-1994)
Biographical history
Richard Edmonds Luyt was born in Cape Town in 1915. He was educated at the Diocesan College and at UCT, and was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford. At both school and university he excelled at sport, particularly cricket and rugby, and achieved an Oxford Blue in Rugby. He decided to enter the Colonial Service and, at the outbreak of World War 2, was sent to the then Northern Rhodesia. From there he was assigned to Ethiopia where he was a sergeant in an Ethiopian Guerilla unit during the stand against the Italians. He was awarded the DCM for his services in Ethiopia.
After the war he served in Kenya, and in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) during its transition to independence. From there he was sent to oversee the transition to independence in British Guiana, later Guyana. He was appointed Principal of UCT in 1968 and saw the university through a turbulent period of its history.
A man of many parts, he was always involved in many aspects of the life of the community in general. UCT awarded him an honorary DLitt in 1982.
In recognition of his contributions to the Colonial Service he was awarded the CMG in 1960, the KCMG in 1964 and the KCVO and GCMG in 1966.
He died in 1994 at the age of 78.
After the war he served in Kenya, and in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) during its transition to independence. From there he was sent to oversee the transition to independence in British Guiana, later Guyana. He was appointed Principal of UCT in 1968 and saw the university through a turbulent period of its history.
A man of many parts, he was always involved in many aspects of the life of the community in general. UCT awarded him an honorary DLitt in 1982.
In recognition of his contributions to the Colonial Service he was awarded the CMG in 1960, the KCMG in 1964 and the KCVO and GCMG in 1966.
He died in 1994 at the age of 78.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Scope and content
These papers reflect the activities and interests of Sir Richard Luyt for the period 1967-1993. Among the personal papers are correspondence, invitations received and notes for speeches, all providing evidence of the breadth of his interests. His service during World War 2 and his involvement in the administration of British Colonies after the war are well documented.
The UCT section includes papers on several controversial incidents before, during and after his tenure as Principal. A concerned involvement in community affairs, education, politics and sport is indicated in the papers of the various organisations in which he was actively involved.
The UCT section includes papers on several controversial incidents before, during and after his tenure as Principal. A concerned involvement in community affairs, education, politics and sport is indicated in the papers of the various organisations in which he was actively involved.
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions governing access
No restrictions apply
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Alternative identifier(s)
Name access points
- O'Brien, Connor Cruise (Subject)
- Mafeje, Monwabisi Archbald (Subject)
- Hoffenberg, Raymond (Subject)
Genre access points
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
2013
Language(s)
- English