Background
Ashton, Robert was born on July 21, 1924 in Chester, England. Son of Joseph and Edith Frances (Davies) Ashton.
Ashton, Robert was born on July 21, 1924 in Chester, England. Son of Joseph and Edith Frances (Davies) Ashton.
He was educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford, an all boys independent school in Oxford. He attended University College, Southampton the predecessor to the University of Southampton. He graduated with a first class Bachelor of Arts (Bachelor) in History.
A leading authority on the House of Stuart, he was Professor of English history at the University of East Anglia. In addition, at various points in his academic career, he lectured at the University of Nottingham, University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Oxford. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1943.
After the end of World World War II, he left the Royal Air Force in 1946.
He went on to study at the London School of Economics under R. H. Tawney. His doctoral thesis was on the subject of the early Stuart Monarchs.
In 1953, Ashton joined the University of Nottingham where he lectured in economic history. His first book The Crown and the money market, 1603-1640, concerning borrowing under the first two monarchs of the House of Stuart, James I of England and Charles I of England, was published in 1960.
In 1962, he was awarded a visiting chair at the University of California, Berkeley.
When the University of East Anglia opened in 1963, he was appointed the founding Professor of English history. He was appointed Dean of the School of English Studies in 1964, after Ian Watt moved on, serving until 1967. Under his direction, American studies was added to the school as part of his commitment to interdisciplinary study.
His was twice awarded a visiting fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford.
He gave the Ford Lectures at the University of Oxford in 1982. He retired in 1988. He was president of the Norfolk and Norwich Branch of the Historical Association.
He served three times on the Council of the Royal Historical Society, on the last occasion as its vice-president Following his retirement, Ashton remained active as a scholar.
He published his last book in 1994 and gave his final lecture in 2002 at the Norfolk and Norwich branch of the Historical Association.
He died on 9 February 2013. His funeral service was held at Street Michael’s Church, Braydeston, on 20 February 2013.
With Royal Air Force, 1943-1946, European Theatre of Operations, Egypt. Fellow Royal History Society (vice president 1983-1986).
Married Margaret Alice Sedgwick, August 30, 1946. Children: Rosalind Helen Fisher, Celia Elizabeth Ahlquist.