Dr Hilda D Spear, a leading member of the English department at Dundee University, has died at the age of 87.
She played a leading role in the department in teaching, research and administration and was active long into her retirement as chairwoman of the Friends of Balgay, the community group dedicated to the preservation of the west end park.
Born in Pinner, Middlesex, she was educated at Harrow County Girls School, Furzedown College, Birkbeck College, London University and Leicester University.
She taught at the universities of Purdue, USA, and Leicester before being appointed to the English department at Dundee in 1969.
She retired from the senior lectureship in 1993 and was thereafter an honorary research fellow.
She had 18 publications to her name, the most significant her two major monographs Remembering, We Forget; A Background to the Poetry of The First World War (1979) and Iris Murdoch, (1995).
A major presence in the English department, her module on First World War literature was particularly popular, and a considerable number of her students went on to post-graduate work writing dissertations related to the conflict.
She was very active in attracting students from overseas and her support was often crucial to their success.
Many of her students remained it touch with her long after they left.
Her energy in organising both academic and social events within the department was hugely admired.
For many years she arranged the Shakespeare Weekend at the Burn, persuading many notable Shakespeare scholars and academics to participate.
She was friendly with Iris Murdoch and a memorable occasion was the visit of her and her husband, John Bayley, to the Burn.
In her retirement the Friends of Balgay became one of her interests, and she researched and produced an acclaimed booklet on the park’s history.
She is survived by her daughters, Gillian and Kathryn, and grandchildren.