On behalf of the Master

The College announces with great sadness the death of Dr Bruce Elsmore, beloved husband of Annette, Emeritus Fellow and the longest standing Fellow of the College.  Bruce died peacefully on Saturday evening 24th August, surrounded by his family.  May he rest in peace.

In 1945, Bruce was admitted to Pembroke College to read the Natural Sciences Tripos. On graduation in 1948 he joined Martin Ryle’s fledgling Radio Astronomy Group at the Department of Physics. His practical skills in the design and construction of radio receivers, and the operation in the field of novel radio telescopes made an enormous contribution to the development of radio astronomy at Cambridge. He was truly a pioneer in this new kind of science: he worked on the first surveys of the radio sky, and the Cambridge high-resolution radio images of a supernova remnant and the powerful radio galaxy Cygnus A. These discoveries attracted worldwide attention.

When Bruce was elected a Fellow of St Edmund’s House in 1966 there were just four Fellows and seven postgraduate students. There followed years of very hard work to get the House on a secure financial basis and increase student numbers. Bruce served as Senior Tutor from 1978 to 1989, working tirelessly to develop the College. He had a major role in the emergence of a united and welcoming community of academics and students. He served selflessly, loyally, and enthusiastically for six Masters of this College.

The funeral for Dr Elsmore was held in the College Chapel on Monday 16 September 2019. As a mark of respect, the College flag was flown at half mast for three days and again on the day of the funeral.

Matthew Bullock
Master
St Edmund’s College