Basil Chubb

Basil Chubb was born in Branksome, Poole, Dorset, He joined the RAF, but was shot down and captured during a bombing raid over Leipzig on 19 February 1944. He spent 15 months as a prisoner at Stalag Luft III, a German air force prisoner of war camp which is best known for two escapes which took place there. Basil was not one of the escapers, although he had to witness the repercussions of the various escape efforts once discovered. Before joining the RAF, Basil had met Margaret (Margot) Rafther at Oxford, and she sent him letters and books via the Red Cross to enable him to continue his studies while imprisoned. They married in 1946, following the end of the war. Also in that year, he completed his first degree in Modern History at Oxford, followed by a master's degree from Trinity College, Dublin, a doctorate from Oxford, and a Doctor of Letters from Trinity College, Dublin. Chubb and Rafther were friends with George Orwell. Chubb became an Irish citizen in the early 1970s. ==Career==

His first academic appointment was as lecturer in political science at Trinity College, Dublin. This was the first full-time appointment in political science at the college, at a time when Irish politics were not discussed as an academic subject. When TCD's department of Political Science was founded, in 1960, Basil Chubb became its first chair, a post which he held until his retirement in 1991. He also held a number of public office posts, including chair of the Employer-Labour Conference (which played a crucial role in national economic policy) and chair of Comhairle na n-Ospideal (the Hospitals Council) from 1972 to 1979. ==Books==

He was the author of the following publications: • The control of public expenditure: Financial committees of the House of Commons (1952) • A Source Book of Irish Government (1964) • The Government and Politics of Ireland (1970) • The Constitution and Constitutional Change in Ireland (1978) • The Politics of the Irish Constitution (1991) • FIE 50: Federation of Irish Employers, 1942-92 (1992) He also contributed to the following: • Economic Development and Planning Readings in Irish Public Administration: Volume 1 (1969), as editor • Parish Pump: Study of Democratic Efficiency and Local Government in Ireland (with Myles Tierney) ==Legacy==

The Political Studies Association of Ireland has established an annual award to recognise the best PhD thesis in honour of Chubb's memory. Awarded to recognise outstanding contributions to the research of politics undertaken in Ireland, the winners (11 Dublin; 4 QUB; 2 UCC; 1 Uni. Ulster; 1 NUIG/UG) include Dave Banks (UCD, 2024), Gail Ritchie (QUB, 2023) Matt York (UCC, 2022) Mary Brennan (UCD, 2021), Alan Duggan (TCD, 2020), Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir (UCC, 2019), Sean Brennan (QUB, 2018), Cathal FitzGerald (DCU, 2017), Jessica Doyle (UCD, 2016), Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (UCD, 2015), Erin Baumann (UCD, 2014), Walt Kilroy (DCU, 2013), Iosif Kovras (QUB, 2012), Michael Breen (UCD, 2011), Catherine O'Rourke (Uni. Ulster, 2010), Oliver Feeney (NUIG, 2009), Brighid Brooks-Kelly (TCD, 2008), Joanne McEvoy (QUB, 2007) and Eoin O'Malley (TCD, 2006). A Festschrift was assembled to mark the occasion of his retirement. Modern Irish Democracy: Essays in Honour of Basil Chubb by Ronald J Hill and Michael Marsh, was published in 1993. ==Relations==

Basil's uncle, Sir Cecil Chubb, owned Stonehenge and gave it to the British nation. ==References==