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In Memoriam: Alec Ford

The University is sorry to hear of the death of Professor Alec Ford. Alec was a founding member of Warwick’s Department of Economics, where he served for 25 years as Reader and then Professor, including a term as department chair.

Having trained as an economist (in PPE at Oxford) he discovered economic history through the international Gold Standard. Committed to understanding history through data and rigorous analysis, he was one of the pioneers that took Warwick to the forefront of the practice of economics in the UK from its earliest days. In addition to his seminal research in international economic history, he was an author and skilled teacher.

He made a significant contribution to Warwick, serving several terms as Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

In his foreword to Alec’s Festschrift, Bryan Sadler provided this testimony:

It must not be thought that Alec is a man of righteous solemnity. He is not. He is a very cheerful chap, much given to swapping jokes, to Wadham gaudys, to supping ale of the right quality, a steam railway enthusiast, a railway photographer of great skill and even greater modesty, a family man, a kind man, and a good colleague."

The funeral will take place on Wednesday 11 March 2015. If you wish to attend, or send your condolences to the family, please contact registrar at warwick dot ac dot uk