Francis J West: 1927 – 2025

The Australian Academy of the Humanities acknowledges, with deep sadness, the death of our last remaining Academy Foundation Fellow, Emeritus Professor Francis West FAHA.

An internationally renowned historian with a focus on medieval history of Norman rule in England, and colonial rule in Australia and the Pacific, Francis was elected to the Australian Humanities Research Council, the forerunner of the Academy, in 1966.

In 1969 the Australian Academy of the Humanities was established by Royal Charter to advance knowledge of, and the pursuit of excellence in, the Humanities. Francis was one of 51 Members of the Australian Humanities Research Council who became the Foundation Fellows of the new Academy.

As a Council member of the outgoing AHRC and newly established Academy, Francis served as acting Honorary Secretary from 1967-1970, Editor in 1971, and then Honorary Secretary from 1973-1974. He also served as Head of the History Section from 1984-1987.

Francis’ death marks the end of an era for the Academy. Our Communications Manager, Abra, was lucky to have spoken with him and his wife Margaret Rose FAHA in the latter half of 2024. The interview, Reflections of a Foundation Fellow is on the Academy’s website.

We extend our sincerest condolences to Margaret, as well as Francis’ family, friends and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.

An obituary is being prepared by the Fellowship and will be available in due course.

 

Dr Margaret Rose FAHA (left) and Emeritus Professor Francis West FAHA (right) sit in their home in Oxford, 2024. Supplied.

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