Michael McCrum 1924-2005

Born in Hampshire in 1924, he was educated at Sherborne School in Dorset where he won prizes in English, French and Classics.

After serving in the Royal Navy, he won a scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and was awarded a Double First in Classics in 1948.

Mr McCrum became a Fellow of Corpus Christi in 1949 and just two years later was made Director of Studies in Classics, a post he held until 1962. His research interest was Ancient History and, in particular, the lives of the Roman Emperors.

He was a member of the Council of the Senate and of the Bridges Syndicate on the relationship between the University and the Colleges at a time of significant development in the University and, as a result of that, was one of the architects of modern collegiate Cambridge.

In 1962, he left Cambridge to become headmaster of Tonbridge School, where his reforming policies won much praise. On joining Eton College as Head Master eight years later, he set about introducing similar modernisations to maintain the school's excellence in a new era.

During this period, he was also made a Life Fellow of Corpus Christi so he was an obvious choice for the role of Master of the College when the incumbent, Sir Duncan Wilson, decided to step down in 1980.

Mr McCrum oversaw many developments during his 14 years as Master, including the admission of the College's first female students in 1982 and a substantial fundraising campaign.

In addition to his College duties, he took an active part in the administration of the University of Cambridge and was appointed Vice-Chancellor in 1987.

Mr McCrum was the last Cambridge Vice-Chancellor to serve a two-year term of office (the post has since been extended to seven years). He continued to serve as Master of Corpus Christi until 1994 and stayed in Cambridge on his retirement.

Professor Alison Richard, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said she was deeply saddened by the news of his death. "He made many important contributions to the University," she said, "and, of course, his College and the schools of which he was headmaster.

"In the University, he belonged to a group of young, reforming members of the Council of the Senate in the 1960s who can truly be said to have formed modern collegiate Cambridge through the establishment of, among other things, the new Colleges and the Colleges Fund, as well as the University Centre.

"He was a natural choice to be Vice-Chancellor and gave the two-year assignment his deep commitment, especially in advancing University business fairly and efficiently through the Council of the Senate, the General Board and the Financial Board.

"He is warmly and affectionately remembered by the staff who worked with him, not only for his good conduct of business, but for his personal kindness and dry humour. He was a great servant of the University of Cambridge and Corpus Christi College."

The current Master of Corpus Christi College, Professor Haroon Ahmed, said: "Mr McCrum came to the College as an undergraduate in 1946 and cared for it all his life, as Tutor, Fellow, Master and Honorary Fellow. He was much loved and admired by many generations of Corpus alumni."

Mr McCrum died on 16 February, leaving a wife and four children. Details of a memorial service will be announced in due course.