Robert rowland smith biography

What does it mean to be human, and how might one access one’s innermost self? Robert Rowland Smith writes popular books about practical philosophy, including a memoir discussing what he’s learned from his relationships – as well as a career as an Oxford don, a strategic adviser and a personal coach, among other things…

Our conversation explores the extent to which people can change, and how to get attuned to an inner alarm that reveals when it’s necessary. We also talk about intuitive ways of knowing, the role of fate and how inherited patterns shape our lives. Along the way, we consider the importance of facing mortality, why it might be scary to experience awakening and how to find purpose by asking good questions.

If you’d like to learn more about Robert’s approach – including family constellations – he’s running an online “retreat” from January 5 (available on-demand at other times). He’s also co-host of regular philosophy slams, where he and Mark Vernon respond to audience prompts with impromptu ideas.

* Join me in London or online for a weekend immersion in yoga philosophy *

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British philosopher

For the Australian politician, see Bob Rowland Smith.

Robert Rowland Smith is a Britishauthor and philosopher. His books include Derrida and Autobiography (Cambridge University Press, 1995), Breakfast with Socrates: The Philosophy of Everyday Life (Profile Books, 2009), and AutoBioPhilosophy: An Intimate Story of What It Means to Be Human (4th Estate, 2018). He is a regular speaker at public and private events, addressing a wide range of topics that includes philosophy, psychology, politics, and art. .

Biography

Smith was born on 21 January, 1965. From 1975 to 1983, he attended Dulwich College in south London. He read English Language and Literature at Mansfield College, Oxford, where he was a Scholar, graduating in 1988 with a top First. From 1988 to 1990 Smith was a doctoral student at Wolfson College, Oxford, specialising in the work of FrenchphilosopherJacques Derrida. In 1990, he was elected to a Fellowship by Examination ('Prize Fellowship') at All Souls College, Oxford. He was awarded a D.Phil. in 1991. While a Fellow of All Souls, Smith also held lectureships at both Mansfield College, Oxford and Hertford College, Oxford, and was a member of the English Faculty, lecturing on literary theory, modern poetry, and Shakespeare.

Smith left Oxford in 1998 to pursue a career in management consultancy, becoming a partner in a London-based firm in 2004. In 2009, Smith set up a company of his own in order to operate independently. He continues to be a Quondam Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.

Smith has sat on the board of the Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology and of the Institute of Art and Ideas. He is a founding faculty member of The School of Life, and from 2013 to 2015 was a faculty member of the London Graduate School based at Kingston University. In 2017 he stepped down from the editorial board of Angelaki: Journal of the Theoretical Humanities,

Australian politician

Robert Baron "Bob" Rowland Smith (15 October 1925 – 5 July 2012) was an Australian politician. He was a National Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1974 until 1999.

Born in Sydney, Rowland Smith was educated at Knox Grammar School, graduating in 1942. He served in the Royal Australian Navy from 1943 to 1947 and in the Naval Volunteer Reserve 1947–60, with the rank of lieutenant. After one year at the University of Sydney he became a wool grower and processor, joining the Country Party in 1956. He was Chairman of the Australian Merino Wool Campaign Committee and the Wool Buyers' Association. He was also the founder of Canobolas Wool Topmaking Pty Ltd in Orange.

In 1974, Rowland Smith was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council after Eben Vickery's death. He became Leader of the National Party in the Legislative Council in 1978 and Deputy Leader of the Government in 1988, when the GreinerCoalition won government. He was Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing until 1991. He remained in the council until his retirement in 1999; he was granted retention of the title "The Honourable" for life. He died in July 2012.

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