John Wiedhofft Gough (23 February 1900 - 1976) was a Welsh historian noted for his study of

John Locke John Locke (; 29 August 1632 – 28 October 1704) was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the "father of liberalism ...

's political philosophy.

Life and career

Gough matriculated at

Merton College, Oxford Merton College (in full: The House or College of Scholars of Merton in the University of Oxford) is one of the Colleges of Oxford University, constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the ...

in 1918. Gough was described as an outstanding student whilst at

Oxford Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...

, achieving a first in both the classics and modern history, in 1922 and 1923, respectively. He was a Lecturer at the

University of Bristol , mottoeng = earningpromotes one's innate power (from Horace, ''Ode 4.4'') , established = 1595 – Merchant Venturers School1876 – University College, Bristol1909 – received royal charter , type ...

between 1923 and 1931, and during this time spent a year as Visiting Lecturer at

Western Reserve University Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

, Ohio. In 1932 he was made a Fellow of

Oriel College, Oxford Oriel College () is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. Located in Oriel Square, the college has the distinction of being the oldest royal foundation in Oxford (a title formerly claimed by University College, wh ...

, and in 1947 was appointed lecturer in modern history. He was awarded a DLitt in 1965.Brown, p. 339. Gough was twice married: firstly in 1926 to Margaret Christian, née Rintoul, with whom he had a son and two daughters; following Margaret's death in 1939, he remarried in 1941, to Margaret Johnston, née Maclagan.

Works

*''The Mines of Mendip'' (1930) *''The Superlative Prodigall'', a life of Thomas Bushell (1932) *''The Social Contract: A Critical Study of its Development'' (Oxford University Press, 1936; 2nd ed., 1957). *''John Locke's Political Philosophy: Eight Studies'' (Oxford University Press, 1950; 2nd ed., 1973). *''Fundamental Law in English Constitutional History'' (1955)

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gough, John Wiedhofft 1900 births 1976 deaths 20th-century Welsh historians Fellows of Oriel College, Oxford Alumni of Merton College, Oxford