Ian Holbourn (writer)

Ian Holbourn (5 November 1872 – 15 September 1935), born John Bernard Stoughton Holbourn, was laird of Foula, a professor and lecturer for the University of Oxford, and a writer.

Holbourn was educated at the Slade School of Art and Merton College at Oxford. He was a co-founder of Ruskin College and served on the college's correspondence and examining staff for many years. He was also appointed professor of the University of California's art and architecture extension program, and was instrumental to the expansion of the art department of Carleton College.

Holbourn was a second-class passenger on the RMS Lusitania on her last voyage in May of 1915. During the voyage, Holbourn befriended 12-year-old Avis Dolphin, who was being escorted to school and family in England by two nurses, Hilda Ellis and Sarah Smith.

With his insights into the largely hushed up events surrounding the wreck of the RMS Oceanic off Foula, Professor Holbourn was aware of the imminent dangers presented to ocean liners during World War I and as such was prepared to face the worst. Holbourn had insisted that Captain William Thomas Turner order lifeboat drills, instruct passengers on how to wear lifejackets, and that more such precautions be taken. His efforts to stimulate safety awareness during a time of war were not appreciated and was told to keep quiet.

When the ship was torpedoed, Holbourn guided Avis and the nurses to his cabin where he fitted them with life belts, even offering up his own; he then steered them through the dark, tilting passageways to the decks above and into a lifeboat. This lifeboat capsized while lowering. Avis was saved; her nurses were not.

Holbourn dived into the ocean to find himself surrounded by a mass of bodies and wreckage. His hope of reaching the nearest boat was interrupted when he was compelled to aid a man who was floating helplessly nearby. By the time Holbourn found his way to a boat, the man he had pulled along with him was dead.

Holbourn was picked up by the fishing boat "Wanderer of Peel" and later transferred to the "Stormcock". Holbourn was one of over 750 rescued from the "Lusitania" to arrive at Queenstown, Ireland that night.

Holbourn continued to write and remained life-long friends with Avis Dolphin. His works include "The Child of the Moat" (written for Avis because she had complained that books for girls were uninteresting), "Children of Fancy", and "The Isle of Foula". He was married to Marion Archer-Shepherd, and together they had three sons.

References

* [http://rmslusitania.info/pages/second_cabin/holbourn_ibs.html The Lusitania Resource]
*Ballard, Dr. Robert D. with Spencer Dunmore. "Exploring the Lusitania". Warner Books, Inc., 1995.
*Hickey, Des and Gus Smith. "Seven Days to Disaster". G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1981.
*Hoehling, A. A. and Mary Hoehling. "The Last Voyage of the Lusitania". Madison Books, 1956.
*Holbourn, Ian B. Stoughton. "The Isle of Foula" and "Memoir" by Marion C. Holbourn. Johnson & Greig, 1938. Reprinted, Birlinn Books, 2001.