---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
From: "Subbiah Arunachalam"
Date: Sun, July 24, 2016 10:05 am
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We are sad to announce that Jack Meadows, one of the Universityâs most
esteemed Emeritus Professors, died peacefully on Monday night at the age
of 82.
Jack is regarded worldwide as one of the most influential figures in
Information Science and the History of Science.
Having gained a DPhil in Astronomy from New College, Oxford, Jack moved to
the University of Leicester in 1965, where he went on to become Professor
of Astronomy and History of Science. His career, and his renown, in
astronomy were officially recognised when he had a planet named after him
Asteroid 4600 Meadows.
Jack came to Loughborough University in 1986 as Professor of Library and
Information Studies in the then Department of Information Science. He held
a number of senior managerial roles at Loughborough: Head of Department
(1986-1990), Dean of Education and Humanities (1992-1995) and finally Pro
Vice-Chancellor (1995-1996).
As well as being an inspirational teacher Jack authored many seminal
publications in the Physical Sciences, History of Science and Information
Science domains, most notably *The Origins of Information Science*(1987).
He retired from the University in 2001 but always maintained strong links,
popping in regularly to see how things were going and helping out wherever
he could.
Jack was not just a huge academic star; he was also a friend and mentor to
all who were fortunate enough to cross paths with him. He was always
encouraging, supportive and cheerful, offering wisdom and insight as well
as warmth and humanity. He and his wife, Jane, are remembered warmly as
gracious hosts to all members of the department at the wonderful annual
summer afternoon tea parties they held in their beautiful garden.
He will be sorely missed. Our condolences go to his wife and other family
members.
--
I am sure many of our colleagues in the LIS fraternity would have
benefited by reading the books of Prof. Meadows. What they may not know is
that he came all the way to India for two weeks to help young Indian
science journalists hone their skills.
Prof. Meadows came to India in the late 1980s along with Mr Martin Redfern
of BBC World Service to help the Indian Science Writers Association host
two 5-day workshops on communicating science to the public (meant for
science journalists). These workshops were held at NISTADS and IISc,
thanks to the generous support of Prof. Ashok Jain and Prof. C N R Rao.
Their visit was financially and logistically supported by the British
Council.
Prof. Meadows was an ardent lover of cricket. When he was in Delhi, I
asked him if I could do anything for him as his host. He said he would
like to meet the great cricketer Lala Amarnath whom he had seen play in
England when he was a schoolkid. Thanks to help from Mr Chandran, former
MD of PTI, I could take Prof. and Mrs Meadows and Mr Redfern to the
residence of not only Mr Amarnath for a hour-long chat over drinks but
also to the bungalow of the great Nawab of Pataudi for tea. And Mrs
Chandran invited the Meadows and Mr Redfern home for some authentic Indian
food.
Prof. C K Ramaiah of the Pondicherry University did his doctoral work
under the guidance of Prof. Meadows, and a few years ago he had invited
him to a conference at Pondicherry.
Arun
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-4658
http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9925-2009
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