Jeremy Palin died on 16 April 2026, aged 87. The following tribute has been written by Jeremy’s sister, Susie Weaver.

Cheltenham College is renowned for its splendid library, magnificent chapel, and for its sporting reputation. It is therefore fitting that with these formative influences my brother Jeremy should have become a university librarian and archivist, had a lifelong love of music, and have borne on his cheek a scar inflicted by a hockey ball.

Jeremy entered the College in 1952, joining Cheltondale, whose Housemaster, Dr H Johnston, and his wife offered constructive sympathy when problems arose, and their kindness has never been forgotten.

In 1954 Dr Johnston wrote that Jeremy was set on becoming an architect working for the National Trust. This ambition was not pursued, however, possibly because maths was not his strong point, whereas he tackled foreign languages with enthusiasm – French, German, and, later on, Russian, which he used during his National Service as a Radio Monitor with the Royal Navy. He also enjoyed Latin; writing many years later to his school-age nephews he said, ‘I hope that at least one of the younger generation among you is studying Latin – it can have all sorts of unexpected uses and pleasures, so someone should keep it going.’

Jeremy hitch-hiked through Canada and the States on a summer vacation trip from Oxford, and ended up studying at the University of British Columbia, gaining a BA and BLS. During this time, he married and had two daughters. He became a bibliographic researcher and cataloguer at UBC, and then moved eastwards to Ottawa, where he worked for many years at Carleton University. He became Head of Special Collections and University Archivist, mounted exhibitions, and was on the editorial board of the Centre for Editing Early Canadian Texts, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also conducted research into the life of Alexander Boswell. Following Jeremy’s death, a member of Carleton’s staff wrote of his ‘remarkable contribution to the University… His impact on the university community was significant and lasting.’

Jeremy’s love of music was nurtured at Cheltenham College, where his final music report mentioned his, ‘consistent enthusiasm for music throughout his career.’ Some years ago, he wrote a letter which demonstrated the importance of music in his life: ‘Music, formally or informally integrated, is an absolutely essential part of a good education, and – speaking for myself at least – can continue to nourish intellectual and emotional life long after some other elements of formal education have been forgotten or ceased to serve.’

His taste was eclectic. When he died, he still had in his possession a CD of Dave Brubeck’s Just You, Just Me, firmly labelled on its case: ‘PURE GOLD, No Lending.’ This was very much the style of music he himself played. There were Bach improvisations, and many renditions of the tunes from Salad Days. When his memory declined and Alzheimer’s took hold he continued to find comfort and solace in music, and his favourite pieces were played at his bedside in his final days.

Thus Jeremy’s Cheltenham education stood him in good stead – though the hockey was abandoned!

Jeremy retired to Victoria, BC, and spent many happy hours in his library at home, cataloguing his own books. He was always courteous, with a delightful smile, and many friends. He relished peace and calm but nevertheless had an impish sense of humour and a fondness for practical jokes. Guy Pentreath, Headmaster, summed him up accurately in his leaving report: ‘An able and charming boy of sterling quality who will I am confident have a happy and useful life.’