University chiefs are mourning the deaths of two senior academic figures, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Penicillin pioneer Sir Edward Abraham died aged 85 while the Rev Graham Midgley, former vice-principal and chaplain of Oxford University's St Edmund Hall, died, aged 75.

Sir Edward was an undergraduate at The Queen's College, before becoming Professor of Chemical Pathology at the University in 1964. He remained there until 1980.

The father-of-one went on to bring the cephalosporin class of antibiotics into medical practice and, through the registration of patents, generate more than £30m for the support of biomedical research. The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Dr Colin Lucas, said: "Sir Edward crowned a distinguished career as a scientist with his outstanding work turning penicillin into a clinical reality. He also had the foresight and generosity of spirit to set up a special research fund, which channelled substantial amounts of money to further research at the University." Mr Midgley became a fellow and tutor in English at the college in 1951, then served as dean from 1956 and as vice-principal from 1969, holding both offices until his retirement in 1978.

He was ordained priest in 1957, served as chaplain from 1978 to 1985, and, after retiring, served his local parish of South Hinksey.

He maintained a link with his college as co-president of the Friends of St Edmund Hall Boat Club and published a portrait of his predecessors, University Life in 18th Century Oxford, in 1996.

Story date: Wednesday 12 May

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