Francis Alfred Lepper,
emeritus Fellow in Ancient History at Corpus
Christi, has died aged 92. Lepper
is remembered for his contribution to the study of the Roman emperor Trajan
and also for his extensive involvement in College life. During his time at
Corpus, Lepper served as dean, Senior Tutor, Senior Fellow and Vice President
(1953-55, 1973-75, 1978-80).His
published works includes Trajan’s Column (1989) and Trajan’s Parthian War
(1948). Lepper also wrote an Aristophanic play, The Bees, to celebrate Corpus’
450th anniversary. As editor of the College journal The Pelican Record (1952
and 1963), he famously wrote a ‘scholarly’ review of the Oxford telephone directory, following the
stipulation to write on a book related to Corpus or the University.Lepper
was praised as an outstanding tutor and lecturer and, in the words of a former
student, knew “that lectures had to contain material not found in books”. His
commitment to his students extended beyond mere academic rigour as he generously
used his contacts as an ex-New College student to arrange regular reading week
trips to a chalet in the Alps.He
also always invited finalists to join him for a walk along the Thames the week before their exams. His enthusiasm and
sense of fun meant the phrase “Steady, Lepper!” was fondly attached to him by
his wife Elizabeth and his students.He
is remembered as a formidable member of the College who insisted on gowns in
tutorials and, on one occasion in the Fifties, his actions prompted students to
burn an effigy of him after he allegedly hid behind the dustbins to catch
latecomers climbing over the walls. The
son of a Church of Ireland priest, he went to school in England before gaining a scholarship to study
Classics at New College in 1932. He was awarded a double
first and became a lecturer at Corpus in 1937 and Fellow in 1939. During the
war he worked in Bletchley
Park analysing messages
passing between German Luftwaffe, the details of which have only emerged since
his death because of his continued allegiance to the Official Secrets Act. He
died in his home in Trewollock, Cornwall
and is survived by a son and daughter.A
spokesperson for Corpus Christi
College said of Lepper:
“He was a dedicated scholar and a much loved tutor for many generations of
Corpus classicists.” A memorial service is planned to be held at Corpus on 28
January.ARCHIVE: 5th week MT 2005
Eminent Corpus classicist and ex-Vice President dies at 92
