Building a future - the enduring legacy of Arthur and Iris Higginbottom

Growing up in hardship in the 1930s, the importance of a full education was instilled in Arthur from childhood - in no small part because his own father had left school at age 14 to find work.

Arthur's home town of Whitfield endured high rates of unemployment and instability at the time, leading into years of war and rationing. However, young Arthur was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship to attend grammar school - and, following on from his positive experience there, the 1944 Education Act propelled him into higher education by offering free access to university.

The privilege to attend university without financial burden was something he never overlooked or took for granted, and was undoubtedly one of the reasons that led him to give back to future generations of students so generously in later life.

^{Arthur and Iris on their wedding day, and attending various social functions in later life}

Arthur studied Architecture at the University of Sheffield, graduating in 1954. He threw himself fully into student life, and was heavily involved with the Architecture society, Entertainment society, bridge club, and the ever-popular Sheffield RAG group.

Not so far away from his student life in Sheffield, a young woman named Iris was growing up in Glossop, working jobs in large garment manufacturing companies. She was passionate about choral music, and was particularly involved with her local choir and church community. After meeting and quickly becoming inseparable, Iris and Arthur married on her birthday in 1960.

Following graduation, Arthur launched his architectural career in Manchester, while he and Iris enjoyed building their life together in Glossop. Arthur became a partner at his firm in 1973, and continued working there until his retirement in 1989. He handled capital projects for many well known companies throughout his career, alongside designing and building churches, hospitals, and even breweries.

In retirement, Iris and Arthur's happy home was always filled with classical music, and the two shared a great love (and competitive spirit!) for golf. After more than 50 years of companionship, Iris sadly passed away in 2011.

Education was still something Arthur held in tremendous esteem - indeed, so passionate was he about this cause, he decided to set up a fund in Iris's memory. His generous endowment to the University of over £1.5 million now helps bright young people who might otherwise find it difficult to attend.

Thank you greatly for your generosity. Research in Medicine is my passion, and I hope to help others in the future. I'm from a small town and my parents can’t offer financial aid, so without this scholarship, my focus would have been on my financial pressures and working.

I spent much of my undergraduate studies volunteering and trying to network, but unfortunately my part-time work often took over. So far in my life, all my success has been independent - but now I have this scholarship, I can focus on what really matters. Thank you.

Teri

MSc Molecular Medicine

This incredible show of support ensures that underrepresented students from all walks of life now get to pursue their educational ambitions on a level playing field, and truly achieve their full potential at Sheffield.

Arthur sadly passed away in 2018, at the age of 87. Thanks to kind donors like him, the University has been able to award more funding to students from widening participation backgrounds than ever before. In the last academic year, over 400 new scholarships were awarded to talented students struggling against financial barriers to higher education. 

The University is forever grateful for Arthur and Iris's incredibly generous support, and deeply moved that Arthur chose to pay forward the help he'd received to access a free education all those years ago.

Their kindness will not be forgotten, and will live on for many years to come through the promising young people like Teri that they're helping today.