2013 Annual Report - Jesus College - University of Cambridge

144 OBITUARIES I Jesus College Annual Report 2013
In 1960 he came up to Jesus to read Modern Languages with an Exhibition, later
converted to a Scholarship. In his second year he came under the influence of the
distinguished Australian scholar, Lloyd James Austin. Austin, who had in 1956 resigned
a Fellowship at Jesus to take up the Chair of Modern French Literature at Manchester,
returned to Cambridge (and Jesus) in 1961 as Drapers Professor of French and Head of
the French Department. Austin detected great promise in Cameron.
A colleague of many years writes: “Cameron was equally brilliant as a linguist in
French and German and could have pursued a career in either. Circumstances steered
him towards French (and Molière), but he often said he would rather have specialized in
German. He was deeply interested in translation and exceptionally good at it; reflecting
his profound concern with linguistic (and conceptual) precision. He loved words and
deeply respected their meaning, an aspect of his sense of responsibility towards others.”
On graduation in 1963, Cameron continued in the College as a research student.
In 1965 he was elected to a College Research Fellowship and the following year was
elected to a Teaching Fellowship. That year he married Brenda. As a student Cameron
had been involved with the Robert Hall Society, a Cambridge student Baptist society, and
attended Zion Baptist Church. He met Brenda during the vacation while attending
Beaver Park Baptist Church, at Didsbury, Manchester. She was at the time a school
teacher in Gatley. They would have two children Martin and Helen. Cameron
subsequently became a Baptist Deacon, regularly preaching in Cambridgeshire villages.
Some years later he joined, and became an Elder of the United Reformed Church.
For many years he took Morning Prayers in College Chapel on Wednesdays, hosting
breakfast afterwards. A former pupil writes: “I know he was a devout and in many ways a
private man, and his care and love for his family, especially his beloved wife, was central
to his life, along with his deep and glowing faith. This shone through, and touched the
lives of so many non-linguists as well.”
A colleague recalls being taught by Cameron in the early days of his teaching career:
“Fantastically carefully marked and extensively annotated and considered essays;
remarkable handwriting. Attention to use of language and clarity above all. He was
always a few minutes late. Slightly out of breath. The sound of his steps on the stairs up
to C5. This felt like an effect of how meticulously he did everything he did (so that he
had always taken a little too long over it). Always sat in the same place. The postcards
from students on the mantelpiece six or seven deep (none ever removed, only added to).
Big bookcase with glass doors along one wall of his room. This was inherited from his
father (as were many of the books in it). Coffee always on the half hour.”
In 1969 he was appointed Assistant Tutor, then, a year later, Tutor to the extensive
Natural Sciences and Engineering sides. His vocation at Jesus now seemed set: his talent
was for teaching and administration, matched by unstinting pastoral concern.
For eight years he was Tutor for Rooms, which in those days meant involvement with
the College’s constituency of landladies. Every year he held a lunch for them. As Tutor,
and Director of Studies, he generously and frequently entertained his pupils. Over lunch
or dinner he got to know his students in the round – their strengths and weaknesses.
And they, in turn, came to know and be influenced by him. Shortly after his death a
former pupil wrote this tribute, echoing the gratitude of many: “Cameron’s faith in me,
his kindness but firmness, and his utter commitment to supporting and mentoring his
students to do their best and become whole young adults was fundamental, and from
talking to other linguist and non-linguist friends I know my life is not the only one that
owes more than I can possibly say to this absolute gentleman”.
In his room he maintained a complete run of the University Reporter. His encyclopaedic
knowledge of the Tripos syllabuses and accompanying regulations enabled him to assist