Sir Robert Christopher 'Robin' Mackworth-Young GCVO (12 February 1920 – 5 December 2000)[1] was a British academic and librarian, who served as Royal Librarian between 1958 and 1985.[2]

Sir Robin Mackworth-Young
Born12 February 1920
Died5 December 2000
EducationEton College
Alma materKing's College, Cambridge

Early life and education edit

Mackworth-Young was the son of Gerard Mackworth Young, a civil servant in British India. He was educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge, where he was President of the Union.[2]

Second World War edit

Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Mackworth-Young joined the Royal Air Force.[3] He saw active service in the Middle East and in the Normandy Campaign, leaving the RAF as a Squadron Leader in 1948. He subsequently joined the Foreign Office.

Royal Librarian edit

In 1955, Mackworth-Young was appointed to be a librarian in the Royal Household at Windsor Castle.[4] In 1958 he succeeded Sir Owen Morshead as Royal Librarian. In 1961 he was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order,[5] and was promoted to Knight Commander in 1975 and Knight Grand Cross in 1985. He was a member of the Roxburghe Club from 1965.[6] From his retirement in 1985 to his death he was given the honorary title of Emeritus Librarian by Elizabeth II.[4] In 1978 He received the Queen Elizabeth II Version of the Royal Household Long and Faithful Service Medal for 20 years service to the British Royal Family.

Publications edit

  • Sandringham (1978)
  • The History & Treasures Of Windsor Castle (1980)
  • Windsor Castle (1997)

References edit

  1. ^ "Mackworth-Young, Sir Robert Christopher, (Sir Robin), (12 Feb. 1920–5 Dec. 2000), Librarian Emeritus to HM the Queen". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u180186. ISBN 978-0-19-954089-1. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Sir Robin Mackworth-Young". The Telegraph. London. 11 December 2000. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  3. ^ "No. 34838". The London Gazette. 26 April 1940. p. 2478.
  4. ^ a b "Sir Robin Mackworth-Young". The Times. 12 December 2000.
  5. ^ "No. 42370". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 June 1961. p. 4147.
  6. ^ "Sir Robin Mackworth-Young". The Telegraph. London. 11 December 2000. Retrieved 14 March 2015.