Professor Coles, acclaimed author & resident of Sussex Housing & Care | News

Professor Coles is 85 and he’s currently writing his 6^th book to be published. He’s lived at Bourne Court, our leasehold housing scheme in Hastings, for seven years. We love hearing about the interesting lives and experiences of our residents, and celebrating their achievements.

Here’s Professor Coles’ story…

“I was born in Slough in 1939. My father was a journalist and my mother was a doctor of philosophy in Munich, Germany. They lived in England during the war but travelled a lot before that, including living in Egypt. My father travelled after the war and wrote books on Spain, Greece and Sweden, and in the publishing world he was known as SFA Coles. I was born into a intellectual and academic family.

I went to secondary school and loved history, I was inspired by the teacher who was so good! I attended Balliol College at Oxford University and studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). I thrived at university and the college supported me well throughout my degree and I made a lot of friends. I liked going to lectures because it was easier than doing the reading!

I got a first and second degree and I was lucky that I got a job at Trinity College in Dublin University. I was a Lecturer in Philosophy, my colleagues were of a high standard and I led a lot of discussion with students which encouraged them to learn, and debate. I motivated them to succeed in their studies.

I wish I stayed in Dublin longer, I was only there for eight years before I left, which I think was a mistake.

Like my father who was an author, I am proud to have written five books about the philosophy in politics. For instance, books about the ideas in the US constitution. It’s great that scholars in America are interested in my books – they’ve corresponded with me a lot over the years.

I’m pleased I married the wife I did, a wonderful lady called Janet. She was a very brave women. She wrote to the Department of Education when she was 22 to say “I’ve noticed you have many teachers in the west of Ireland who teach Irish – but do you teach English literature?” She landed herself a job as an English Literature lecturer!

Janet and I met on a train in Ireland heading towards her home city of Cork. It was lucky encounter. We married in Cork and we moved to England, we didn’t have children.

Once we moved to England I continued to teach Philosophy at the North London Polytechnic. I also taught for a year at Cornell University in America which was a great experience.

I spent a year teaching English in Arabia, it was an experience of learning in a very different culture. It was an easier experience for me there, compared to my wife who was with me, as they treated women very differently.

I retired when I was 65 and I continue to write books even to this day. My latest book argues that in present day America, if we read the US constitution it would forbid the sale of guns. The actual values of the US constitution include for example, ‘justice’. Americans could achieve justice if they ban the sale the guns. I hope my book will be published within the next 18 months.

My parents retired to Hastings so I’ve known of Bourne Court for a long time. My wife and I lived in Hastings for quite a few years and then I moved to Bourne Court which I’ve enjoyed for the last seven years. I find the scheme is well run and very good. I regularly visit the Isabel Blackman Centre next door, I enjoy lunches and activities and meeting people, they’re all very friendly.”

Thank you to the incredible Professor Coles for sharing his wonderful experiences!