French

French has been formally taught at Edinburgh University since 1894, when Charles Sarolea (1870-1953) was appointed Lecturer. The Chair of French was created in 1918 with Sarolea the first appointee. In 1951 it was renamed the Chair of French Language and Romance Linguistics, and a second Chair of French Literature was created. In 1980, both chairs were replaced by two new Chairs of French. Since 2006 there has again been a single Chair of French, accompanied, since 2014, by a Chair of French Literature and Film Studies.

Professors of French (1918-1951)

• 1918-1931: Charles Sarolea (1870-1953)
• 1931-1932: James Middleton Moore (1871-1932)
• 1933-1951: John Orr (1885-1966)

Professors of French Language and Romance Linguistics (1951-1981)

• 1951-1955: John Orr (1885-1966)
• 1955-1981: Duncan McMillan (1914-1993)

In 1969, the Chair became the John Orr Chair of French Language and Romance Linguistics.

Professors of French Literature (1951-1980)

• 1951-1961: Frederick Charles Green (1891-1964)
• 1961-1980: Alan John Steele (1916-2004)

Professors of French (1980- )

• 1980-2000: Peter France (1935- )
• 1980-2006: John P. Renwick (1939- )
• 1999- : Jean Duffy

From 1995 to 2006, John P. Renwick was 'John Orr Professor of French'.

Professors of French Literature and Film Studies (2014- )

• 2014- : Marion Schmid