University College Oxford Record 2020

which enriched and was enriched by, his historical
knowledge, and he loved hills and “wild country”,
especially in Scotland.
1954:
ANTHONY JOHN COOPER
(private tuition) died on 4 August
2019. His widow Anne has kindly
provided this obituary:
When Tony was two years old,
he contracted a serious illness and
was admitted to hospital in December
1937 where he spent the next nine
years. He overcame the illness but was
left with a lifetime legacy of physical problems
borne patiently and without complaint.
With no education provided in hospital, he
was unable to read or write at the age of eleven.
He was privately tutored after he left hospital.
He played cricket and, as a scout, was awarded
the Cornwell Scout Badge “in respect of preeminently
high character and devotion to duty,
together with great courage and endurance”.
He sat a few O and then A Levels followed by
the entry papers for Oxford and Cambridge
and applied to London University. He was
offered places at all three but chose Oxford to
read History.
He really enjoyed his time at Oxford despite
being ill in all three years with a reoccurrence
of the same illness that needed surgery and
antibiotics. Again, he overcame the illness. Whilst
celebrating with his friends, he fell down the stairs
at a poorly lit restaurant and suffered a serious
break in his left leg. He was encased in plaster
from his ankles to his armpits throughout the
spring and very hot summer of 1957. He had to
take his finals in bed on his back using a biro. He
got his degree, no small achievement, as recorded
by the Master of University College, Professor
Goodhart and his wife:
“On my return to Oxford, I have heard that
you received a very good Second in
History...I never thought that you
would be able to do it with your
series of accidents. The courage and
determination you have shown will
be long remembered by all those
who have been associated with you
here.
“We are all delighted to hear of your
splendid success. I just can’t think how you
did it when I think of all the severe illnesses you
have had every single year you have been here.
It really is the triumph of intellect and character
over adversity.”
Tony was always grateful for all the kindnesses
of the Goodharts.
At Oxford, he created the Oxford University
Tiddlewinks (Victorian spelling) Society and
became the Founder and Past-master of Oxford
University Tiddlewinks Society.
He completed a Diploma of Education at
Oxford and embarked on a teaching career
during which he returned to Oxford to complete
a BLitt on the Stuart period. Later, he established
the History department at St Martin’s College
Lancaster before moving to Avery Hill College as
Head of History. When the College became the
University of Greenwich, he became Academic
Secretary. He retired in 1997. During this period,
he completed his doctoral thesis on American
economic history.
His interests were current affairs, wine,
photography, sport and opera with frequent visits
to the Coliseum, Covent Garden and Verona.
Tony died on 4 August 2019 aged 84 and is
survived by his wife and two sons.
70 University College Record | October 2020