Laurence Gower


Laurence Cecil Bartlett Gower known as 'Jim' and universally credited as "LCB Gower" in his writings, was a lawyer and academic who was Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton from 1971-79.

Early life

He was born in Forest Gate, London and educated at Lindisfarne College. He then attended University College, London graduating LLB with first class honours in 1933 and LLM in 1934. He qualified as a solicitor in 1937.

War service

He served in the army throughout World War II initially in the Royal Artillery as a Private where he served under Sir Mortimer Wheeler. He ended service as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He was involved in the planning at Wilton House of the D-Day landings in France.

Academic career

After leaving the army, he commenced academic work as a lecturer in law at University College, London. He was also Sir Ernest Cassel Professor of Commercial Law at London School of Economics, University of London from 1948 to 1952 and visiting professor at Harvard Law School from 1954 to 1955. He became professor and dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos from 1962 to 1965 and subsequently vice-chancellor, University of Southampton from 1971 to 1979.
During his time at Southampton, there was increasing financial stringency and increasing student numbers. However, the new Medical School expanded and there was provision of special residential facilities for disabled students. All first year students were able to live in university accommodation. At the same time, he served on Harold Wilson's Royal Commission on the Press. After retirement he was asked by the Department of Trade to provide advice to the Government on financial services resulting in the Financial Services Act 1986. He is best known for his work in the UK company law, where he authored the leading treatise, now taken over by PL Davies,

Personal life

On 7 September 1939, he married Helen Margaret Shepperson Birch, a secondary school teacher, and they had two sons and a daughter. He died in Camden, London.

Publications