Tributes paid to Master of St John’s College
Professor Sir Christopher Dobson. Image courtesy of St John's College, Cambridge
Tributes from around the world have been paid to renowned chemist Professor Sir Christopher Dobson following his death on 8 September. He died at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Surrey, following a diagnosis of cancer earlier this year.
Sir Christopher, known to his colleagues simply as Chris, joined the Department of Chemistry in 2001 as the John Humphrey Plummer Professor of Chemical and Structural Biology. He was the elected the 44th Master of St John’s College in 2007.
He leaves a towering legacy of scientific accomplishment, including over 800 papers and review articles to his name, which advanced global understanding of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Among the honours he received were the 2009 Royal Medal of the Royal Society, of which he had been a prominent Fellow since 1996, the 2014 Heineken Prize for Biochemistry, and a Knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2018 for his contributions to Science and Higher Education.
“Chris' scientific contributions over a long and very productive career have been outstanding, and his legacy will live on in the many people he welcomed into his research group or collaborated with. Chris was a great nurturer of scientific talent and his group has had a huge influence on the direction of research well beyond Cambridge.”
In 2013 he co-founded the Department’s Centre for Misfolding Diseases, which has brought together researchers from a wide variety of scientific backgrounds to investigate the molecular processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Significant gifts from Elan Pharmaceuticals, the Frances and Augustus Newman Foundation and R Derek Finlay played a vital role in realising the completion of the new Chemistry of Health building, which now houses the Centre.
Chris was a great believer in the power of philanthropy. His passion for what it could make possible, from new laboratories to research funding to student bursaries, inspired donors at all levels to commit their support to Cambridge. His personal warmth and enthusiasm endeared him to students, colleagues and alumni across the Department and the College. Dr Frank Salmon, President of St John’s, observed: “His commitment to helping others will be an equally inspiring part of his enduring legacy – countless lives and careers were improved by his mentorship, support, advice and influence. At St John’s his commitment to the College was apparent by the remarkable fact that he knew every Fellow, student and member of staff by name.” Former Chair of the Johnian Society, Graham Spooner, commented "he will be sorely missed by the Johnian and wider community in the University and beyond."
He is survived by his wife, Dr Mary Dobson, and their sons, Richard and William. A book of condolence is in the Porters’ Lodge at the Great Gate entrance to St John’s College and an online book of condolence is also available. The Chapel is open to those who would like to light a candle in remembrance of him. Plans for a memorial service will be announced by the College in due course.