PROFESSOR SIMON JAMES
It is with immense sadness that I must announce that Professor Simon James, Department of English Studies, our friend and colleague, has died.
Simon passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife Kate and close family, having been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer just over a month ago. He faced these last few weeks with grace, courage, and characteristic good humour. The sense of loss and shock will be profound and lasting.
We knew Simon as a brilliant critic, an inspirational lecturer and teacher, and an illuminating supervisor, mentor, and friend. He was a leading authority on H. G. Wells, late-Victorian literature, and the modern novel.
In every way, he was utterly committed to what he did – to this discipline, his students and this department, which he served for 25 years, including as Head of English Studies, and to worlds beyond academic life, such as the Book Festival, Hullabaloo Theatre organisation, the Durham Commission on Creativity and Education, and Durham Student Theatre, of which he was Honorary President.
Running a book group for inmates at HMP Frankland led to Simon being given the Best Educational Effort award at the University Volunteering Awards last year. His intellectual presence and energy, his unfailing wisdom and cheer, were a constant gift to others.
On a personal note, having worked with Simon these past years, it would be hard to find anyone who better embodies everything that is good, committed and gracious about Durham University.
Karen O’Brien
Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University