It is with great personal sadness that I inform you that Emeritus Professor J.R.V. (Victor) Prescott passed away earlier this morning. He had been in declining health for some time.

 

Victor was a long-standing scholar and expert in the field of international boundaries, both on land and sea, and the author of many books, articles and newspaper pieces. 

 

His wife Dorothy has compiled a biography and bibliography of Victor’s life and works, which are available online, fittingly hosted by the International Boundaries Research Unit at Durham University, Victor's alma mater.

https://www.dur.ac.uk/ibru/research/maps/prescott/

 Victor was truly a scholar and a gentleman, an internationally-renowned expert in his field, and a personal inspiration and mentor to me. His expertise in international boundaries was the reason I moved to Melbourne University to study under him. After graduation, I was also privileged to be asked to co-author an article with him. 

 

Victor will be farewelled at a private cremation. Further details will be published in the Melbourne newspapers the 'Herald Sun' and 'Melbourne Age' on Monday (20 Aug.).

 

Brendan Whyte

 

 

Dr Brendan Whyte

Assistant Curator of Maps

National Library of Australia