Donald Cameron Watt (17 May 1928 – 30 October 2014) was a British historian.

Early life

Donald Cameron Watt was a chorister in the

Choir of King's College, Cambridge The Choir of King's College, Cambridge is an English Anglican choir. It is considered one of today's most accomplished and renowned representatives of the great English choral tradition. It was created by King Henry VI, who founded King's Coll ...

, and then was educated at

Rugby School Rugby School is a public school (English independent boarding school for pupils aged 13–18) in Rugby, Warwickshire, England. Founded in 1567 as a free grammar school for local boys, it is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain. Up ...

. He read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at

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 ...

, graduating from

Oxford University 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 ...

with a bachelor's degree in 1951.

Career

Watt served as a Professor of International History at the

London School of Economics , mottoeng = To understand the causes of things , established = , type = Public research university , endowment = £240.8 million (2021) , budget = £391.1 millio ...

, where he served as the Head of the Department and Stevenson Chair of International History from 1981 to 1993. Watt edited ''Survey of International Affairs'' at

Chatham House Chatham House, also known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute headquartered in London. Its stated mission is to provide commentary on world events and offer solutions to global challenges. It is ...

from 1962 to 1971. He was the author or co-author of 25 books. He won the

Wolfson History Prize The Wolfson History Prizes are literary awards given annually in the United Kingdom to promote and encourage standards of excellence in the writing of history for the general public. Prizes are given annually for two or three exceptional works ...

in 1990.

Personal life and death

Watt was married twice. He first married Marianne Grau in 1951, and they had a son. After she died in 1962, he married Felicia Stanley. She predeceased him in 1997. Watt died on 30 October 2014. He was 86 years old.

Works

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References

1928 births 2014 deaths People educated at Rugby School Alumni of Oriel College, Oxford 20th-century English historians Academics of the London School of Economics {{England-academic-bio-stub