I was an undergraduate student when I first heard about John’s work. John was an icon then. So, the meeting with the real man behind the Driver and Baylis paradigm was exciting and humbling experience. John and Ray were both my PhD supervisors, and together they offered the perfect balance of intellectual stimulation, guidance and the freedom to explore. Working with John was very rewarding and inspiring. I learnt a lot from him both as a scientist and a person. John had a brilliant mind and was very quick to think on his feet, quite a challenge for a nervous PhD student... It became even harder when he expressed his original views in his renowned ‘Driverish’ style – rapping and mumbling under his breath. John used to joke that he developed this style to make him look cleverer. Needless to say that was completely unnecessary; John’s bright thinking and sharp intellect didn’t need any gimmicks or ‘artificial additives’. He will be missed.
Jon Driver died suddenly on 28th November 2011. Jon was a wonderful individual; a loving son, husband, father and brother; and an irreplaceable friend and colleague.
This is a place for everyone who knew Jon to share our memories of him and through this to help celebrate his life.
If you would like to add a description of your memories of Jon to this blog please contact g.rees@ucl.ac.uk with the text you would like posted. We welcome any contribution, from short snippets to longer pieces. Please bear in mind this is a place to remember Jon and to help celebrate his life.
As well as this blog, there is also a photograph album to which friends and colleagues are most welcome to contribute. If you would like to add one or more pictures please email it/them to g.rees@ucl.ac.uk
