Death of Professor Sir Patrick Geddes Architect of Hebrew University

The death is reported here to-day from Montpellier, in France, of Professor Sir Patrick Geddes, the famous sociologist and town-planning expert.

Sir Patrick, who was 77 years of age, was in Montpellier in connection with the project for establishing an International University there.

He designed the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, working out the plans in the autumn of 1919 in conjunction with Mr. Mears, the well-known architect. Their plans, which were exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, have been everywhere recognised as most admirably adapted to the spirit of the Hebrew University as well as to the physical conditions of the historic site upon which the building will grow up. Sir Patrick Geddes drew up his designs on the unit plan, so that each building as it was erected would be complete in itself, and that at no time during the space of years which it might take for the full completion of the scheme would there be any disharmony, although, of course, their full grandeur would only be obtained on completion.

Since these plans were drafted in 1919 and 1920, we have learned much from various further university plannings, Sir Patrick wrote in the “New Palestine” at the time of the Hebrew University opening in April 1925. In this connection he suggested an inter-action of Jerusalem University and City with broad indications for development with due mingling of a workers’ garden village with closely associated dwellings. The University, he wrote, no doubt, has to teach economics as every university does. But what is Zionism in essential economic practice, if not regional reclamation to fertility – to wealth and weal together?