We were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Alastair Niven LVO OBE, former Principal of Cumberland Lodge.
Dr Niven served as our Principal from 2001-13. Notable achievements during his tenure include the creation of the Cumberland Conversations series, which continues today. He was made an Honorary Life Fellow in 2016, along with his wife Helen, and returned in 2022 as a guest speaker at a Conversation to discuss his memoir, In Glad or Sorry Hours (2021).
During a distinguished career, Dr Niven was Director General of the Africa Centre, took up a Fellowship at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies in London, and then worked for over two years as the Secretary General’s Assistant at the Association of Commonwealth Universities. He was also Director of Literature at the Arts Council of Great Britain, Arts Council England, and the British Council.
A literary scholar and published author, he served as Editor of The Journal of Commonwealth Literature for over a decade, as well as being on the Advisory Committee for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and a judge for the Booker Prize and Man Booker Prize. His own books include two studies of D H Lawrence.
Dr Niven was very popular among the staff here at the Lodge, and we send our heartfelt condolences to Helen and their family.