Starting badly: encountering Derek Henderson

ABSTRACT

Written in the style of a memoir by a member of the staff of Rhodes University, this brief biographical essay touches on aspects of Derek Henderson's upbringing and his schooling. It traces the influence of the latter on his life choices – especially important was the call to service and the role of faith. But liberal values were also significant, which is why Henderson embraced the thinking of the 18th Century Anglo-Irish writer Edmund Burke.

Keywords:

• liberalism
• conservative
• Edmund Burke
• St Johns College