Professor Ioan James FRS

Ioan James (1928–2025) was Senior Research Fellow, Tutor and Lecturer in Pure Mathematics at St John’s (1959–69) and the Savilian Professor of Geometry at Oxford (1970–95). He was an Honorary Fellow both of St John’s and of New College.

Professor James had a distinguished career as a research mathematician working in homotopy theory, a major branch of topology, and winning the Senior Whitehead Prize (1978) of the London Mathematical Society, of which he was also President (1984). He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1968 and held visiting positions at many universities worldwide, as well as serving on national and international committees. The author of a number of books on mathematics, he also contributed books on the history of science.

Professor James was a generous benefactor of the College, funding the Ioan & Rosemary James Scholarships in memory of his late wife. These have enabled talented international students to study mathematics and computer science at St John’s. The scholarships have supported ten undergraduate Mathematics/Computer Science students from around the world, and twelve DPhil students, as well as Junior Research Fellows.

Funeral and memorial services

Professor James’s funeral will be held at the Oxford Crematorium on 31 March at 11.00 am. All are welcome. No flowers; any donations to the British Heart Foundation.

A memorial service will take place on Friday 25 April at 2.00 pm in the Chapel of St John’s College, followed by tea in St Giles House. If you wish to attend, please email presidents.pa@sjc.ox.ac.uk.