On Friday, 18 November 2016, the Centre for English Legal History at the University of Cambridge hosted a symposium to commemorate the life and works of Professor SFC Milsom QC FBA (1923–2016), whose writings revolutionised legal historical scholarship.
Papers on medieval legal history were presented by Professors George Garnett (Oxford), Hector MacQueen (Edinburgh), Norman Doe (Cardiff), Paul Brand (Oxford), and John Hudson (St Andrews). The day’s academic proceedings were brought to a close by the Centre for English Legal History's annual lecture, given this year by Professor David Ibbetson. The lecture was insightful and moving, highlighting both the lasting contributions made by Professor Milsom to the field of legal history, and the continuing debt of gratitude owed to him by modern scholars. (An audio recording of Professor Ibbetson’s lecture can be found on the Lectures page.) A substantial number of the event’s numerous attendees then enjoyed dinner at St Catharine's College, an opportunity to catch up with old friends and to become acquainted with new ones.
The event in honour of Professor Milsom also marked the launch of fundraising efforts for the Centre of English Legal History. The Centre was established in 2012, since which time has organised a flourishing programme of seminars and annual lectures. The Centre aims to preserve a large and growing collection of legal historical materials, including Professor Milsom’s own collection, and to perpetuate the scholarly tradition of which Professor Milsom was an integral part. Those interested in supporting the Centre - which is now seeking premises in Cambridge to house its collections and activities - can find more information on the CELH website.