Sir Roger Scruton, FBA, FRSL, (1944-2020)

It is with great sadness that the University records the death of Sir Roger Scruton, who was one of the country’s most distinguished philosophers.  A Cambridge graduate, he was an eminent author, known for his many books on aesthetics, morality and politics, as well as having served as a government adviser on housing policy.  He was knighted in 2016 for services to philosophy, teaching and public education.  The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has described him as the country’s “greatest modern conservative thinker”.  He was also honoured by governments of Poland and Hungary for his contribution and support to dissidents during the Cold War era.

At The University of Buckingham, Sir Roger initiated and led the highly successful MA programme in Philosophy, as well as supervising many MPhil and PhD students.  There was always a waiting list of students who wished to attend his London seminars and the growth in philosophy at the University was largely due to his efforts and international profile.  He will be sadly missed by staff and students at the University.

He died after a short illness with cancer.  He is survived by his wife, Sophie, and two children, Sam and Lucy.

‘Roger Scruton was one of the wisest, bravest, most probing and dignified of thinkers in Britain. We mourn his passing at The University of Buckingham, as do good people everywhere.’ – Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor.