James Walter McFarlane (12 December 1920,Sunderland – 9 August 1999,Stody, Norfolk) was a scholar ofEuropean literature, author ofThe Oxford Ibsen, and founding Dean of the School of European Studies atUniversity of East Anglia which includedScandinavian studies.[1]
McFarlane grew up inSunderland and attendedBede Grammar School, and then went toSt Catherine's College, Oxford. His Oxford degree in modern languages, interrupted by war while he served in Europe in theIntelligence Corps, was completed in 1947. During the war he played association football forSunderland A.F.C.[1][2]
His first appointment was as lecturer atDurham University in 1947, in the department of German and Scandinavian studies at King's College.[3] (In 1963, this becameNewcastle University) Here he encountered the likes ofHarald Næss andAke Leander.[1][2]
Between 1960 and 1977 he edited the eight volumes ofThe Oxford Ibsen (OI), consisting of translations ofHenrik Ibsen's works, many of which were his own.Graham Orton is credited as an editor and translator.[citation needed] Other contributors includedJohan Fillinger,Christopher Fry andJames Kirkup.[2][4]
As a result of this work, McFarlane was also appointed a Knight Commander of theRoyal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, and made a member of Danish and Norwegian academies.[2][6]
McFarlane moved to Norwich, and in 1964 he was appointed Chair of European Literature at the newly established University of East Anglia, and founding dean of the school of European studies.[1][2]
Between 1968 and 1971 he was thePro-Vice-Chancellor. In 1974 he became the editor of the journalScandinavica.[1]
In 1982 he retired, however he remained active as aProfessorial Fellow until 1986.[2]
In his retirement he established and built his Norvik Press to publish translations and commentary of Scandinavian literature, with a bias in publishing translations and other works by its own editorial team.[1][2]
In 1991 he retired from editor ofScandinavica.
He marriedKathleen Crouch in 1944. They were both active in the community, with James acting as:[1][2]
Kathleen had a distinguished career in weaving, and died in 2008, survived by their daughter and two sons.[7]
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