Campbell College

Campbell College is a beautiful book of photographs spanning Campbell's history from 1894 through to the modern day. Keith Haines has again produced a fascinating publication, which will appeal to Campbellians old and new. Available from the Old Campbellian Society Office priced at £12.99.

Neither Rogues nor Fools

Neither Rogues nor Fools was written by Keith Haines (a well-known local historian and, at that time, Head of History at Campbell) to mark the Centenary of the College in 1994. It details a century of events at Belmont, including the creation of the College in the early 1890s, the growth of pupil numbers (from the initial 215 on 3 September 1894), the expansion of the estate and absorption of adjacent properties, the IRA raid of December 1935, the evacuation to Portrush plus deaths and destruction from German bombs during the Second World War, the brief admission of girls, and the problems of retaining Voluntary Grammar School status.

However, as its subtitle - a history of Campbell College and Campbellians - suggests it is designed also to be an account of (some of) the thousands of characters who have inhabited its classrooms and corridors. Campbell College came very close to shutting its doors before the end of the 19th century as a result of the dispute between one of the initial joint-Headmasters and his staff, and the early chapters examine the vitriolic legal cause celebre of those traumatic years; also examined are the contre-temps between some of the Headmasters and their Governors.

Above all, this volume examines the remarkable contribution of the College's pupils - celebrated and notorious - that have visited, and made their mark in, the five continents of the world. There are two world mountains named after former pupils; two have been awarded the Victoria Cross; others have made their mark upon political history around the globe, particularly during the final decades of the British Empire. One future Oxford professor was expelled for insolence to the Headmaster; one original pupil crossed Persia on horseback and chastised Prime Ministers and Viceroys; one Head Prefect was killed in combat with the Red Baron; another pupil was gaoled for treason in World War II.

In addition to sections and chapters on the contribution of Campbellians to two World (and other) Wars, there is also an assessment of the considerable sporting achievements of former pupils. Over the century, the school has won every major sporting trophy in Ulster - often on many occasions. Many pupils have achieved sporting distinction in many disciplines at provincial, national and international level. Some have been contestants in such events as the Circuit of Ireland, and Commonwealth and Olympic Games - a Campbellian recently won his fourth gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. One pupil is the most-capped Irish rugby player; another holds a world record for international squash appearances.

Neither Rogues nor Fools a history of Campbell College and Campbellians (377 pages, liberally illustrated with black-and-white and colour photographs) should be of interest to all those who have links with the College and is available from the OC office at a cost of £20.

To the Ends of the Earth

To the Ends of the Earth Campbellians at War (60 pages, plus many photographs) is the first booklet in a series to be published from the material stored in the Campbell College Archive - which is now managed by Keith Haines. Beginning with a brief consideration of the Irish temperament, in seven short chapters it summarises and examines the role of Campbellians in, and their contribution to, the major local and international conflicts in the century since the Boer War. This publication is also available from the OC office at a cost of £3.