Philip Mason

Philip Mason will be remembered primarily as a writer of history, not exhaustively academic but sound, worldly-wise, and beautifully written. His accessible style appealed to those with life experience, bridging the gap between specialist research and general readership. Beyond his writing, Mason had a significant career in the Indian Civil Service and pioneered the study of race relations as the founding director of the Institute of Race Relations. His works, encompassing novels and historical volumes, often explored themes of empire, faith, and human nature, leaving readers with a profound reflection on the complexities of history and the human condition.