The Queen's College Record 2020

of 1952. On retirement to the Engadin in Switzerland he continued to climb, ski and
dance. Many of his friends, including former students and researchers, gathered in
Basle in February 2015 to celebrate his 90th birthday.
Sadly, Greti predeceased him over 30 years ago, but Morrin remained active until
a few days before his death and in active email communication with many former
students. His enthusiasm and vitality will continue to be an inspiration to many.
Obituaries
Gordon Wright (Chemistry, 1970)
JAMES ADAMS
Sir William James Adams died peacefully on 24 April
2020, aged 87. Born in Wolverhampton, he was
educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School and
Shrewsbury School. He studied Modern History at The
Queen’s College, under John Prestwich.
He worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
and trained as an Arabist, learning the language
at Shemlan Arabic school in Lebanon, which was
famous for spies such as Kim Philby who worked for
Russia. One of Sir James’s earliest jobs was with the British Residency in Dubai, and
he later worked for the British Embassies in Paris and in Rome and for a member of
the House of Lords in London. His diplomatic posts included British Ambassador to
Tunisia (1984-1987) and British Ambassador to Egypt (1987-1992). He was made a
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.
Due to his fluency in Arabic (and French and Italian), he was sometimes asked by the
Queen to assist as interpreter to her Arabic-speaking visitors and he was once asked
with his wife Donatella to spend a weekend at a house in Cambridge as hosts to the
Shar of Iran and his wife.
He is survived by Donatella, his three children, Andrew, Charles and Julia, and nine
grandchildren.
Robert Adams
College Record 2020 | The Queen’s College 117