John Simons by Claire A very early memory is his tears for the starving children of Biafra as we watched the TV news together in the 1960’s. He wanted the world to be a better place and that motivated so much of what he did – in his personal and in his professional life. He was a lifelong campaigner for humanitarian causes and he always gave to people in need – on the streets, from his bank account, and a soft touch for door-to-door sellers and charity collectors! He was so generous with his time and with his money. His disappointment at my lack of academic ambition (though at least I partnered up with a PhD – Frank) was, I hope to some extent, balanced by his pride in my campaigning activities. Although we disagreed (sometimes most vehemently) about many things I think we were both motivated by the same desire for greater social justice.

From Katherine Every year since I was four years old my father has written a poem on my birthday. These poems were topical, humorous and forthright. I would like to read one which he wrote in April 2009 (for my 46th Birthday). The Unchosen If my children could have chosen their father Would they have chosen me Or would they have much rather Been another’s progeny Someone whose wealth and position Could have eased their path through life And whose kind and mild disposition Would have granted no place for strife Poor things they had no say Yet as nature drew the straw She sent one favour their way No father could have loved them more John Simons April 2009 It is my birthday on Thursday, the first one without a poem. So I have written one for him. Whenever any of his beloved family chose not to accord with his wishes, his response was “Don’t you worry about me”. And that is the title of my short poem about my father, who I love dearly and miss dreadfully. “Don’t you worry about me” There once was a loving father Whose children he wished were smarter Levels O and A, then Degree Higher, aim higher came his plea “But don’t you worry about me” Ever one to proffer advice Often unsolicited and met with sighs Drive carefully, inflate tyre Pay pension, do not retire “But don’t you worry about me” Don’t be fat, but not too thin Know where to put punctuation in Look after your mother Take good care of each other “But don’t you worry about me” Hard to imagine life without father I would NOT have chosen another In every decision, his voice I hear He's become my conscience, and my steer So father, don’t you worry about me Katherine Simons April 2024

I was one of John's lecturers on the MA in Philosophy at Birkbeck, and later co-supervised his PhD for a while there. I will forever remember his enthusiasm for knowledge, his intellectual honesty and integrity, his unassuming sense of humour, but above all his natural brilliance. I learned a lot more from him during my time teaching him than I could ever hope to have taught him. He will always have a special place in my heart.