Biography of David Donnison

David Vernon Donnison (1926-2018) was an Emeritus Professor and Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Urban Studies. He previously held the Chair of Town and Regional Planning from 1980-1991.

David was born on 19 January 1926, son of Frank Siegfried Vernon Donnison CBE of the Indian Civil Service and Ruth Seruya Singer MBE JP. He married Jean Elizabeth Kidger and had 2 sons and 2 daughters, and later married Kay Carmichael in 1987.

He was educated at Marlborough College, Wiltshire and Magdalen College Oxford. His academic and professional posts were Assistant Lecturer and Lecturer, Manchester University, 1950-1953; Lecturer, Toronto University, 1953-1955; Reader, London School of Economics, 1956-1961; Professor of Social Administration, 1961-1969; Director, Centre for Environmental Studies, 1969-1976; Visiting Professor, London School of Economics since 1976; Chairman: Public Schools Commission, 1963-1970; Supplementary Benefits Commission, 1975-1980 (Deputy Chairman, 1973-1975). He was awarded honorary doctorates by Bradford University in 1973, University of Hull in 1980, University of Leeds and University of Southampton in 1981.

He was Professor of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Glasgow from 1980-1991 and subsequently Research Fellow. He continued to publish following retirement and his last publication was the edited collection of writings by Kay, titled 'It Takes a Lifetime to Become Yourself', published in 2017.

David passed away in April 2018.

A fuller biography is available in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (access free).

Summary

David Donnison
Social Scientist
Born 19 January 1926.
Died 28 April 2018.
University Link: Professor
GU Degree:
Occupation categories: social scientists
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Record last updated: 13th Oct 2022

University Connections

University Roles

• Professor

Academic Posts

Professorships:

• Town and Regional Planning

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David Donnison