Lalage Bown, Emeritus Professor, University of Glasgow (1927-2021)

It was with a great sadness that I learned of the passing of Lalage Bown last weekend. I was at that time attending a project meeting at the University of Rome when I received the news. Being in a city so endowed with history and culture indeed reminded me of Lalage and my thoughts turned to her great knowledge and skills in so many areas and as an historian, linguist, and adult educator. She was indeed a person who could easily have a word on any subject.

I very clearly remember my first encounter with Lalage at the University of Glasgow in 1981. She had just arrived in Glasgow after having spent most of her earlier working life in Africa. I was at that time a student of town planning and had heard of her international credentials which seemed a great beacon of hope for the university and for internationalisation of though. I had learned a lot about cities and people in my town planning studies and as a secondary school teacher, was most anxious to learn more about how people’s lives could be transformed through community education and action.  I was ready to hear more and especially what Lalage might say about the role of adult education and (what was then known as) permanent education and its power to transform. I was indeed embarking on a journey which would transform my life and with Lalage at the helm.  She was to capture my interest and enthusiasm and more especially enable me to become and adult learner and educator for change. Lalage was to become my research supervisor, mentor, colleague, and later lifelong friend.  As well as sharing an interest in adult education and lifelong learning we were both especially interested in literacy and in its power to transform. Our careers were destined to be closely entwined, and we were to become colleagues and friends, keeping in touch with each other each year as well as often meeting at various events both at home and abroad.

It is not just an interest in a common subject that creates a strong bond. Perhaps what struck me most was Lalage’s ability to listen to, engage with and respond to others and to foster the imagination. She was always ready to hear everyone’s story and to empathise with others without judging or taking positions. Her commitment to building a better world also warmed the hearts and minds of many as did her appearances on tv and other media. Her compassion and spirituality always shown through, making her a friend to almost everyone. She was indeed a beacon of light even in the most difficult of times and wherever Lalage was, there was peace and harmony.   Her commitment to improving the lives of the disadvantaged was impeccable and alongside her academic prowess, her exemplary personality, illustrated through her attitude and deeds, was always to shine through.

I shall certainly miss her but can take some comfort in how she has taught me and many others to be human, to be a better person, to see the best in life and to take opportunities in an ever-changing world.

Rob Mark, Honorary Senior Researcher, University of Glasgow