Michael Kenneth Barbour

Background

Michael Barbour was born on the 8th of October, 1921 in Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.

Education

After serving in the Royal Navy during World War II Michael Barbour studied at New College, Oxford, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947 and a Bachelor of Letters degree in 1953. Also, later he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Career

Much of Michael Kenneth Barbour's academic career was spent in Africa, first at University College in Khartoum (now University of Khartoum), Sudan, where he served from 1948 to 1955, and then at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, where he held the post of a professor in 1962-1972. Between those appointments, he lectured in geography at the University of London. In 1973, he accepted a post as a professor of geography at the New University of Ulster (present-day Ulster University). After his retirement from Ulster, he returned to Africa to teach for two years at the University of Nairobi. During his time in Africa, Barbour helped establish respected academic programs, while also conducting research in such areas as the economy and agriculture of Egypt and Sudan. Later, he moved with his family to Winchester, United Kingdom.

Michael wrote and edited several geography books about Africa in addition to his debut classic, The Republic of Sudan (1961), including Population in Africa (1962) and The Growth, Location, and Structure of Industry in Egypt (1972).

Achievements

• Michael Kenneth Barbour was an outstanding educator, geographer, and author. He is best remembered as a prominent educator at African universities and for his book The Republic of Sudan, which is now considered a classic work in the field of geography.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Growth, Location and Structure of Industry in Egypt 1972
  • Essays on African Population 1961
  • A Geography of Africa: Regional Essays on Fundamental Characteristics, Issues, and Problems 1969
  • The Republic of The Sudan: A Regional Geography 1961

Connections

Michael Barbour was married to Jane Morris (Galbraith) Barbour. They had two children.

Wife:

Jane Morris (Galbraith) Barbour

Jane Morris Barbour (1922-2012) was a British author and activist. She wrote on African art, particularly African textiles, and on the Arts and Crafts movement. Among her writings are The progress of Nigerian Public Administration; a Report on Research, that was written with D. J. Murray and E. O. Kowe; Adirẹ Cloth in Nigeria: the Preparation and Dyeing of Indigo Patterned Cloths Among the Yoruba, written in collaboration with Doig Simmonds; and Kenyan Pots and Potters, with Simiyu Wandibba.

Son:

David Barbour