Obituaries

James H. Billington, an eminent American scholar of Russian culture, reigned for three decades as librarian of Congress, propelling the expansion of the world’s largest library.

Donald was professor emeritus of English at the University of Notre Dame where he spent the entirety of his career. He also for many years served as assistant dean for the College of Arts and Letters. A specialist in 19th-century Victorian poetry and African literature, he received numerous University accolades, including the Thomas Madden and Charles Sheedy Awards for Teaching.

Peter was an Investment Executive at the Helen MacPherson Smith Trust 2013-2018 having had a32 year career in stockbroking and funds management previously. Peter spent the bulk of his stockbroking career with Australian firm McIntosh Securities in both London and Melbourne. Peter was managing director of Wallara Asset Management, the boutique funds management firm he founded in 1995. He was a director of the listed investment company, Australian United Investment Co., and the charity Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke).  He was also a councillor of Graduate House at the University of Melbourne and a member of the investment committees of the Geelong Grammar Foundation and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

An academic, editor and literary critic, Peter held a BA with Honours from the University of Tasmania and an MLitt from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He was Professor of Australian Literature at James Cook University from 1996 to 2006. He also worked at Monash University. His research interests included nineteenth-century and contemporary Australian literature and literary history, and war literature.

Herschel and his wife Peggy were instrumental in developing the charity Earthwatch Institute based in Oxford which brought together those with a passion for science, conservation and education. He was also the former CEO of Coutts & Co.

After 1978, Dev left Oxford and returned to India and worked with the Oxford University Press for a few years. Subsequently, he went into school education and that's where he found his passion! He started as a teacher in Doon School, and went onto become the head of quite a few prestigious schools, such as Lawrence School, Ootacamund in the South of India and Welham Boys School, in Dehra Dun, near New Delhi. After retirement, in 2012, he was invited to work at a private school in Utah, USA, Wasatch Academy, as Head of International Programming.

Dev authored two books: one, his Memoir 'With a Little Help From My Friends' and the other about the state of school education in India namely, 'The Great Indian School Bazaar'.

Dev has inspired several thousands of students in a career spanning over 40 years. As a mark of affection and respect for their beloved Headmaster, Dev's students of the batch of 1978 from the Lawrence School, have dedicated a Fitness Centre in his memory.

Graham was a professional gymnast and competed at three Olympic games.

Cyril was a devoted collector of works by Wyndham Lewis and a news reporter by profession.

Annette was the administrative secretary to the South African National Secretary for 36 years. Many of us have very fond memories of her, be it her pep talks before or her reassuring words after the interviews, and not to mention the precision and efficiency with which she organised the selections. She truly was the Mother Hen and we are grateful to have passed through her hands during the time that she served the Southern African Rhodes Scholar community and the Rhodes Trust.

May she rest in peace.