Alumni engagement and philanthropy

Keith Jeffery (died 12 February 2016, aged 64)

Tributes to Professor Jeffery also appeared in the Irish News, Belfast News Letter.

Keith Jeffery was Professor of British History at Queen's, a distinguished military historian and author of the acclaimed MI6: The History of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), 1909-49.

Born in Belfast on January 11 1952, Keith John Jeffery was educated at Methodist College Belfast before embarking on an academic career in the USA and at Cambridge University (St John’s College). He joined the staff of Queen's in 2005, after teaching at the Ulster Polytechnic and the University of Ulster for over 20 years.

His expertise in military history was recognised globally and Professor Jeffery held a number of posts overseas. From 1997-98 he was a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University and Australian Defence Academy, New South Wales. Greatly in demand internationally as a lecturer, from 2005 he was seconded to the Cabinet Office to write the official history of MI6. He later returned to his work on the First World War period, and in 2015 published his book 1916: A Global History.

In acknowledging Professor Jeffery’s death and extending sympathy to his wife and family circle Queen's University said: "Keith was rightly known as one of the world's most distinguished historians, and as someone who made an immense contribution to the annals of British and Irish history.

"His appetite for accuracy, along with his talent for storytelling, ensured that a rich vein of enthusiasm for his work extends far
beyond academia. As a result, thousands have been enriched and enlightened by his work.

"Those lucky to have known Keith, be it as a friend, colleague or absorbing lecturer, will miss him, and remember him with great
fondness.

"His publications were often credited as fascinating, endlessly interesting and never to be superseded. On his death, we apply those
sentiments to him."

A memorial service was held on 27 February in the Great Hall at Queen’s.

Professor Jeffery retired from Queen’s on January 21, 2016. He is survived by his wife Sally and sons Ben and Alex.

 

 

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