A tribute to Professor Simon J James

New Writing North are devastated to learn of the death of our dear friend and colleague, Professor Simon J James.

Simon worked with us for many years, sitting on the Durham Book Festival steering group and chairing countless events with writers ranging from Lemn Sissay to Robert Webb (a friend from his university days in the Cambridge Footlights!). Simon was involved in the curation of several of our events, including the Big Read, and was also a committed audience member. We will miss hearing his ready laughter ringing out across the auditorium.

Simon’s good humour and seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm belied his sharp intellect: he was a world-class expert in 19th Century literature and his students at Durham University adored him. Over the years we welcomed some of those students back to Durham Book Festival as published authors – he always wanted to continue supporting them.

In 2017 Simon brought his expertise and critical eye to the judging panel of the David Cohen Prize, which that year was awarded to Tom Stoppard. In 2019 he chaired Durham’s research team for the Durham Commission on Creativity and Education commissioned by Arts Council England.

Simon’s work with Durham’s prison library service was a testament to his integrity and belief in the power of reading. He regularly ran a reading group in a local prison and believed it was inspiring and enriching work. He introduced New Writing North colleagues to his group, and we saw first-hand how many of the participants viewed their reading sessions with Simon as a lifeline. One group member told us that they couldn’t believe the world expert on HG Wells regularly came to talk to them. This work went on to inspire a Durham Book Festival reading project with National Prison radio.

We will never forget Simon and his impact on our work; his loss is immeasurable.