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Don was a very important person in my life both professionally and personally for at least 50 years. It is very moving to read so many tributes that really do speak of the heart and soul
of an exceptional man. I shall hugely miss him.
Annie
From:
Zooarch <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Tyr Fothergill <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Tyr Fothergill <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, 29 September 2016 at 09:44
To: Zooarch <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] Don Brothwell
I am very saddened to hear of Don's passing.
Like many others, I initially knew of him from Animal Diseases in Archaeology, a text to which I was referred by a senior professor during my MA some years ago in Canada. The departmental
expert on palaeopathology suggested that I read Baker and Brothwell, and also send Don a letter, gently warning me that he was "Brilliant, a visionary, but an iconoclast" and that North American scholars at the time might find certain aspects of his work objectionable.
This cautioning had perhaps the opposite of the intended effect, thus instantly transforming him into a personal icon. I can think of no scholar more influential upon my early forays into non-human palaeopathology, particularly with regard to avian pathology.
At one stage, he very kindly sent me a large packet of useful papers and offprints, which were enormously helpful.
I feel fortunate indeed to have met him in person later on at an ICAZ working group conference in Katerini. I recall being stunned by the incredible breadth of his knowledge and experience,
but I will also remember how unpretentious--and also how very kind--he was.
Tyr
From: David Orton <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH] Don Brothwell
This is terribly sad news.
I have little to add beyond what has already been said by many who knew Don far better than I. But from a personal perspective, I first met Don in 2003/4 when studying for my MSc at York. At that point he was already the legendary retired professor with an
office in the attic, who would occasionally come down to our ground-floor lab to impart wisdom and relate stories and anecdotes about his incredibly varied and impressive career. Twelve years later I returned to York and found the situation much the same -
Don was still in the attic (I never actually found his office) and as sharp and as generous with stories and encouragement as ever.
I last saw him a few months ago, when he told me that he'd be clearing out that office soon and had "a few offprints and some bird skulls" that I might be interested in taking charge of. Well, I missed the clear-out but a little later those "few offprints"
were delivered - turning out to consist of 20+ full boxfiles that now take up a good portion of my office, plus not only bird skulls but two boxes of assorted pathological specimens and a dessicated Peruvian dog! Many of the offprints have handwritten or typed
messages attached from distinguished scholars around the world - in archaeology, osteology, veterinary science... - each telling a story of past collaborations, or of chance meetings, or of Don's own generosity in sharing his work and his time. Going through
them all will now take on an added poignancy.
David
On 29/09/16 07:28, Jean-Denis Vigne wrote:
very sad, indeed. Don Brothwell was so much for all our communities.
I just remember when I was a PhD student (1981!) : François Poplin, my supervisor, rushed in my office with "Digging up bones" in the right hand. The thumb of
his left hand was up. Without any word, he was telling me that this book was fantastic, and that I had to read it in detail. Those who know François Poplin will probably understand what I mean, and those who do not know him have to understand that this book
was considered as a "top one" by an experienced archaeozoologist, who was at that time the leader of the French archaeozoological community.
He just laid it on my table, and rushed out, as he usually does, especially when he is touched. How exciting for a young archaeozoologist : a book with bones in
the front page ! This was already a kind of novelty, at that time, because bones were not very popular, and Don made so much for bringing them at the same level of scientific "respectability" as the other archaeological items.
It was actually a fantastic book that played a major role in my early scientific life, as well as the pioneer and visionary works that Don Brothwell published
about the origins of the grey mouse, another of my favorite topics. And many others.
I did not met him frequently, unfortunately, but I have heard so much from many of you who worked close to him, that it seemed to me that I knew him well and appreciated
his humanity.
Really too sad.
Jean-Denis Vigne
Le 28/09/2016 à 19:38, Dobney, Keith a écrit :
Dear colleagues,
As you've heard from Umberto (and respective other social media), Don Brothwell - one of the giants in our and related fields died on Monday night.
His wife Heather and children (Morag, Shona and Jamie) have just phoned me to provide some more details to pass onto his colleagues, friends and the wider bioarch
community.
He was diagnosed three weeks ago with an advanced form of leukaemia. Of course Don being the stubborn/private man he was he didn't want anyone - even his own family
- to know. However, he'd been losing weight and becoming weak for a while - which they obviously noticed, so they eventually prised the information from him.
He finally agreed to self-administered chemotherapy at home and rallied for a few days before collapsing and being rushed back to hospital with an infection.
He rallied again (he was stubborn) and then decided to go home against advice because he "still had writing to do and another book to finish"! He was re-admitted for the last time some days later.
He was surrounded by his family when he passed away and was awake and talking to the end,
Heather and family have indicated that they will be holding a private family service (date still undecided as yet), but they will probably organise a memorial
service of some kind soon after and let me know to pass the information on.
As Umberto said, please do send your messages, memories, experiences of Don to the list. They've asked me if I'd compile them and forward at an appropriate time
when they've decided how to properly remember and honour his legacy. I've warned them they will be deluged!
Please feel free to send this message to other appropriate lists etc - We've lost another true giant in the field, who's work and kindness will live on for decades
to come.
I owe him much (as do many others) and it's truly a sad day for us all.
Keith
On 28 Sep 2016, at 17:51, Umberto Albarella <[log in to unmask]> wrote: