John Philipson, M.A.

John Philipson was born on 2 January 1910 and attended Dame Allan's School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, before going up to St Catharine's College, Cambridge. He originally intended to follow a career in the civil service and was accepted to join the tax inspectorate; but in the early thirties there was a delay in confirming such appointments until a suitable vacancy arose. While filling in time Philipson taught for two years at Richmond Grammar School and, felicitously, put in a temporary period at the family firm of process engravers in Newcastle during his holidays. This, to his own surprise, he found congenial and the offer of a post in the tax office in Hackney in 1933 was accordingly declined. Nevertheless, he found himself in London where he was despatched by his father to gain experience in the technical aspects of photo-engraving and kindred matters, and he then returned to work in the family firm in Newcastle for the next forty years. He loved the Northumberland countryside and in 1954 he bought Hernspeth House, at Harbottle, where he lived with his family for the rest of his life. He was a great lover of books, not only as a voracious reader but as a skilled bookbinder and an expert on the manufacture and use of paper, inks and similar items. He wrote Northumberland: National Park Guide for H.M.S.O. in 1969 and was a prominent member of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, serving as secretary from 1957-61, vice-president in 1965 and president in 1973. He edited Archaeologia Aeliana from 1962 until his death, maintaining the publication's rigorous standards of scholarship and exposition. Philipson's association with the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Literary and Philosophical Society was equally distinguished, and he served this organization also as president. For his contribution to the region's cultural life over many years Philipson was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Newcastle-upon Tyne in 1981. He died on 28 December 1995.