Remembering Sir Tom Stoppard, Emeritus Cameron Mackintosh Fellow

St Catherine’s College is saddened to hear of the death of playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, an Emeritus Cameron Mackintosh Fellow and one of the most significant dramatists of the last century.

Tom’s connection with St Catz was marked most visibly by his 2017 tenure as the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre, during which he delivered his inaugural lecture, Professing. In that talk, he reflected on the craft of writing and the creative possibilities that theatre offers.

Across his long career, Sir Tom wrote more than 30 plays and numerous screenplays, earning an Academy Award and multiple Tony Awards. Born Tomáš Straussler, he came to Britain as a child refugee, beginning his working life as a journalist before becoming one of the defining voices of British theatre. His work, from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to Arcadia, and screenplays including Shakespeare in Love, is celebrated for its intellect, humanity, and extraordinary command of language.

When he was appointed to the Visiting Professorship, Sir Tom described it as “a special delight… particularly at Oxford where my plays have been performed by undergraduates for so many years.” His presence enriched College life and left a lasting impression on those who met him.

Paying tribute, Master, Jude Kelly CBE, said “Tom was an extraordinary person – erudite, witty, thoughtful and with an astute belief in the importance of his craft. Towards the end of his life, he became ever more determined to commit to his writing above all else. He recognised his duty to his talent and he’s made an indelible mark on the history of theatre.”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the many artists and audiences who have been inspired by his work.