Birkbeck honours former President Denis Healey
Birkbeck remember Denis Healey President of Birkbeck from 1993-96.
Denis Healey, the former Labour deputy leader and cabinet minister who has died aged 98, will be remembered fondly at Birkbeck, University of London, where he was President from 1993-1999.
At Birkbeck Lord Healey took up the important, honorary ambassadorial and ceremonial role of President in 1993 and contributed significantly to the life of the university.
Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, said: “It is with much sadness that we have learned of the death of Lord Healey. He was a great friend and supporter of Birkbeck and passionately believed in the power of education to transform lives. He will be greatly missed.”
Lord Healey was Secretary of State for Defence from 1964 to 1970 and Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1974 to 1979 under Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. He became deputy party leader in opposition, under Michael Foot, in 1980.
His keen intellectual brain and sharp wit marked him out as a giant of British post-war politics throughout and beyond his 40 years as a Member of Parliament.
Lord Healey’s family said he died peacefully at his Sussex home on Saturday 3 October, after a short illness.