Law Community Mourns Sir David Williams

Sir David Williams, the first Indiana University Maurer School of Law George P. Smith Distinguished Visiting Professor-Chair and frequent contributor to the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, died last month in Cambridge, England. He was 78.

Williams was the first full-time vice chancellor of Cambridge University, where he spent most of career. Among the many other offices he held during his years at Cambridge, he was also president of Wolfson College. Williams was a noted scholar and teacher in the field of public law. His approach to civil liberties, administrative law, and environmental law continues to be lauded for its democratic pragmatism and enduring relevance on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as for its accessibility to a wide audience. He was knighted in 1991.

Williams was the author of Not in the Public Interest: The Problem of Security in Democracy and Keeping the Peace: The Police and Public Order. Among his many other publications, he wrote three articles for the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies: "Courts and Globalization," "The Courts and Legislation: Anglo-American Contrasts," and "Law and Administrative Discretion."

Professor Fred Aman recalled Williams as an integral member of the Law School community.

"Sir David was on the founding Board of Editors of the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies. His involvement was important to the early intellectual direction of the journal, and his participation helped establish its international reputation," Aman said. "His visits were memorable for his lively engagement and intellectual generosity. He had a great gift for creating the kind of collegial environment that made imagination, laughter, and friendship integral to serious scholarship and productive academic life."