Mr Bamber Gascoigne CBE

It is with great regret that the College announces the death of our Honorary Fellow, Bamber Gascoigne CBE, on 8 February 2022 at the age of 87.

Bamber Gascoigne came up to Magdalene in 1955. He achieved the rare – perhaps unique – feat of having his first show Share My Lettuce staged in the West End while he was an undergraduate. Graduating with a double first, he went on to a spectacular career in broadcasting, where he was the legendary quizmaster of University Challenge for twenty-five years as well as producing and presenting several documentary series.

He followed his undergraduate success in the West End with several other plays and was the author of books on subjects as diverse as The Treasuries and Dynasties of China and Milestones in Colour Printing. He was a publisher and theatre critic, a trustee of the National Gallery, and the Tate, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Royal Opera House and the Council of the National Trust. In 1994 the University elected him Sandars Reader in Bibliography. He was elected an Honorary Fellow of Magdalene in 1996.

As Chair of the web-based project History World, Bamber Gascoigne was an inspiring voice for the dissemination of free up-to-date research to all those who were interested. More recently, he focused his energy on developing the beautiful garden opera house, West Horsley Place, a grade one listed building dating back to the Middle Ages.

The Master, Sir Christopher Greenwood, said:

“Bamber Gascoigne was an Honorary Fellow of enormous distinction who was always very loyal to Magdalene and was particularly delighted when his College reached the finals of University Challenge last year. We will all miss his sparkling conversation at the many College events which he attended. Our thoughts are with his family and friends”

Our deep condolences go to Bamber Gascoigne’s family, friends and colleagues.

Image Credit: Christina Gascoigne
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