Overview

Sir Oliver Popplewell became, in his own words, officially 'judicially senile' after a distinguished career at the Bar, as a High court judge specialising in defamation, arbitration and sports law - an appropriate niche for a Cambridge cricket Blue. And in public life he achieved prominence as chairman of important public enquiries such as the Bradford Stadium disaster. ""Hallmark: A Judge's Life at Oxford"", the sequel to his acclaimed autobiography, ""Benchmark: Life, Laughter and the Law"", tells how he went to Oxford University to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics as the oldest undergraduate ever to be admitted - with considerable press and media coverage and good-natured amusement among family and friends.Here is a sharply observed, sympathetic yet critical picture of modern Oxford seen from the perspective of a leading judge and public figure who could contrast this experience with his Cambridge days from the late 1940s. But this is much more than the story of an older student. It is hugely entertaining account of a life lived to the full. Sir Oliver takes his readers into his confidence, shares his experience and presents a unique facet of a fascinating life which can serve as a warm but sharply observed social and cultural history of modern Britain.

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9781845117818

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'Combining the hectic and amusingly far from glamorous life of chaperone to a movie star grand-daughter with that of Oxford fresher, our spry hero chronicles his life with an irresistible blend of shrewd observation, puzzled innocence, self-deprecating candour and comic resignation...Having known Oliver all my life I can only say that when I grow up I would like to be just like him.' Stephen Fry

'Combining the hectic and amusingly far from glamorous life of chaperone to a movie star grand-daughter with that of Oxford fresher, our spry hero chronicles his life with an irresistible blend of shrewd observation, puzzled innocence, self-deprecating candour and comic resignation...Having known Oliver all my life I can only say that when I grow up I would like to be just like him.' - Stephen Fry; 'Sir Oliver Popplewell was probably the oldest undergraduate ever to study at Oxford, the most distinguished and one of the bravest. To undertake the rigours of an Oxford Bachelor of Arts degree, in the glare of the national press, at the age of 76 takes great courage. He was a delightful person to have as a member of Harris Manchester College; through his personality, conversation and encouragement, he made a very positive contribution to the life of the College and got on well with students and staff of all ages.' - Dr Ralph Waller, Principal of Harris Manchester College

Author Information

Prior to his retirement, the Honourable Sir Oliver Popplewell was a distinguished High Court judge for nearly twenty years and was involved in a number of celebrated cases over the course of his long career. He subsequently returned to university to take a degree in PPE at Harris Manchester College as Oxford's oldest undergraduate. His previous book, Benchmark: Life, Laughter and the Law, a memoir of his experiences as a judge. is also published by I.B.Tauris.

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