Author Description
Continuing from C.H. Rolph's first volume of "London particulars", this volume covers the years from the end of World War I to 1986. It describes his 25 years with the City Police, from which he retired in 1946 with the rank of Chief Inspector; his work as a freelance journalist, followed by 25 years on the editorial staff of the "New Statesman". He also spent some time at the BBC as a broadcaster and script-writer. He lectured on law reform, civil liberty and the freedom of the Press and sat on numerous committees investigating such issues as mental health, the treatment of prisoners and the abolition of the death penalty.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This memoir investigates the professional and personal evolution of C.H. Rolph as he navigates the transition from a career in law enforcement to a life of journalism and social advocacy. The author, a former Chief Inspector of the City Police and long-time staff member of the New Statesman, utilizes his own career trajectory to document the shifting social and legal landscape of Britain between the end of World War I and 1986. By synthesizing his experiences in policing, broadcasting, and committee work, Rolph provides a framework for understanding the development of civil liberties and penal reform in the twentieth century.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A detailed account of twenty-five years of service within the City Police force.
- Insights into the editorial operations of the New Statesman during the mid-twentieth century.
- Observations on the legislative and social debates surrounding mental health, prisoner treatment, and capital punishment.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a comprehensive history of the Edwardian era, focusing instead on the author's personal experiences following that period.
- The narrative is limited to the author's specific professional spheres and does not attempt a broad sociological survey of the general public.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers often identify this work as a valuable primary source for understanding the intersection of British policing and liberal journalism during the twentieth century. The prose is noted for its clarity and its ability to bridge the gap between institutional history and personal reflection.
Page Count:
240
Publication Date:
1988-03-24
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192821431
ISBN-13:
9780192821430
Memoir
Biography
Security services
20th Century
Law Enforcement
Journalism
British History