Professor Brian Whitton (OK 1954)

Brian Whitton (OK 1954) joined the junior school at King’s in 1943. He won an Entrance Scholarship to the senior school, where he was a pupil from 1949 to 1954, serving as a house prefect and as a member of the school’s cross country VIII team.

Brian was awarded both a Surrey Major Scholarship and State Scholarship to he read Natural Sciences Wadham College, Oxford. He took up his place after completing his national service, gaining a first-class degree in 1959. Brian went on to complete a PhD at University College London but it was at Durham University, where he began working as a temporary lecturer in 1962, that he would carve out his academic career. He was made a full lecturer in the department of botany in 1963 and would rise to become a professor of botany (professor emeritus following his retirement in 2000).

Professor Brian Whitton (OK 1954) passed away in March 2025.

An obituary written by colleague Martyn Kelly can be read on the Guardian’s website.