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For almost half a century from the early 1960s Martin Trow was the most persistent American commentator on British higher education. He analysed the main reports from Robbins to Dearing, developed and applied a language for discussing common problems amongst different systems, and focused on the uncertain progress of the UK to mass higher education. He was committed to understanding and comparing national systems of higher education in their wider contexts, applying his blend of sociology, history and policy research and analysis. The result was a sustained picture of British politics and policies, systemic and institutional change and resistance. This article follows his path through some of the most important and difficult events in British higher education, tracing his interpretations in his published and unpublished work, and conference papers. The article, therefore, becomes a recent history of British higher education through perceptive American eyes.