'An inspiration': Scotland's first black professor dies at 85
Tributes have been paid following the death of Scotland's first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer, at 85.
Sir Geoff, a chancellor and professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University, moved to the UK from Jamaica as a teenager and became Scotland's first black professor in 1989.
His death was confirmed on Thursday night by Heriot-Watt University, who described him as an 'inspiration' to all colleagues past and present.
Professor Richard A. Williams, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, led the tributes to Sir Geoff. He said: 'Today marks a sad day for this University and for everyone who knew Sir Geoff.
'He was an inspiration not just to me but to colleagues past and present, and countless students around the world. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for education was impossible to ignore and this University was all the richer for having such a strong association with him over the years.
'He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.'
First Minister John Swinney said Sir Geoff's will be 'sorely missed'.
He said: 'Sir Geoff Palmer was a pioneer and an outstanding intellectual. He had a hugely positive impact on Scotland and will be sorely missed.'
In a post to social media on Thursday night, Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury said he was 'deeply saddened' following the news of Sir Geoff's passing.
'He was not only a distinguished scientist & academic, but also a courageous voice for justice & equality,' Mr Choudhury wrote.
'My sincere condolences to his family & all who knew and admired him. May his soul rest in peace.'
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also paid tribute. In a post on X, he said: 'Very sad news … Sir Geoff was a gentleman, a pioneer and an intellectual giant.
'He will be dearly missed. Love to his family and friends.'
Born in 1940, Sir Geoff arrived in Edinburgh in 1964 to pursue a PhD in grain science and technology jointly with the then Heriot-Watt College and the University of Edinburgh.
After completing his doctorate in 1967, he began working at the Brewing Research Foundation, where his academic work saw him invent the industrial process of barley abrasion and pioneer the scanning electron microscope to study cereal grains.
Sir Geoff went on to become Scotland's first black professor in 1989 before eventually retiring in 2005, but was later appointed chancellor of Heriot-Watt in 2021.
He was knighted in the 2014 New Year's Honours for services to human rights, science and charity and in July 2024, he was recognised for his contribution to Scotland and installed in the prestigious Order of the Thistle.
Also known as a passionate advocate for the rights of black communities, Sir Geoff's legacy saw him invited by Edinburgh City Council to chair a review group looking at the city's colonial heritage.
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The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Professor who won ‘Nobel prize of the beer world'
Died: June 12, 2025 Sir Geoff Palmer, who has died aged 85, earned a reputation as a trailblazer and inspiration within higher education and in wider society as chancellor and professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University and Scotland's first black professor. Born in St Elizabeth, he moved to London as a 14-year-old in 1955, where his mother had emigrated some years earlier, as part of the Windrush Generation. A keen cricketer, he earned a place on the London Schools' cricket team and at Highbury Grammar School. In 1958, upon completion of his schooling, he was employed as a junior lab technician at Queen Elizabeth College while gaining further qualifications studying one day per week at a local polytechnic. In 1961, Sir Geoff enrolled at the University of Leicester, graduating with a degree in botany. He then began his long association with Heriot-Watt University when he embarked on a PhD in grain science and technology, which he completed in 1967. This was carried out jointly between Heriot-Watt College, as it was known then, and the University of Edinburgh. From 1968 to 1977, he worked at the Brewing Research Foundation in Surrey where he used the fundamental research from his PhD studies to develop a pioneering barley abrasion process - efforts which won him the American Society of Brewing Chemists Award of Distinction, an honour dubbed the Nobel prize of the beer world. He also pioneered the use of the scanning electron microscope to study cereal grains. This process was subsequently adopted by some of the UK's biggest breweries. Sir Geoff returned to Heriot-Watt University in 1977 as a lecturer where, among his many achievements, he secured industry funding to establish the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), which continues to this day as a unique teaching and research facility. Read more In 1989, Sir Geoff became Scotland's first black professor and continued to teach at Heriot-Watt University until his retirement in 2005. He was subsequently appointed Professor Emeritus at the University's School of Life Sciences, and, in 2014, he was knighted for services to human rights, science and charity. He would return in 2021 to take on the role of Chancellor, a position he would embrace until his death. A beloved figure within the University's global community, Sir Geoff was known for his warm, approachable manner and his deep personal commitment to supporting and championing the success, wellbeing and growth of students at every stage of their journey. Sir Geoff met his future wife, Margaret, while they were both students at the University of Leicester. They had lived in Penicuik in Midlothian since the 1970s and he was a well-known figure in and around the town. Sir Geoff was a board member of many charitable and equality organisations, and a trustee of Penicuik Citizen's Advice Bureau, where the charity named its building Palmer House in his honour in 2021. In 2023, marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush to British shores in 1948, Sir Geoff was named one of ten pioneering members of the Windrush generation honoured by His Majesty The King with a specially commissioned portrait. The artwork has since become part of the Royal Collection, serving as a lasting tribute to the men, women, and children who journeyed to post-war Britain. In March 2024, King Charles III appointed Sir Geoff a knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (KT), the highest order of chivalry in Scotland. In later life, Sir Geoff was diagnosed with prostate cancer and received treatment. In an interview with Whisky Magazine in 2020, Sir Geoff was asked about his legacy to which he gave this poignant reply: 'One of my daughters just had a wee girl in Glasgow. She and my other grandchildren are my legacy, and I hope that anything I've done they won't be ashamed of. 'My legacy is all of my children, students, my friends and relationships and all the people who helped me.' Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, led the tributes to Sir Geoff. He said: 'Today marks a sad day for this university and for everyone who knew Sir Geoff. 'He was an inspiration not just to me but to colleagues past and present, and countless students around the world. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for education was impossible to ignore and this university was all the richer for having such a strong association with him over the years. 'He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.' Sir Geoff is survived by his wife, Margaret Palmer, their three children, and grandchildren.
STV News
2 days ago
- STV News
'An inspiration': Scotland's first black professor dies at 85
Tributes have been paid following the death of Scotland's first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer, at 85. Sir Geoff, a chancellor and professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University, moved to the UK from Jamaica as a teenager and became Scotland's first black professor in 1989. His death was confirmed on Thursday night by Heriot-Watt University, who described him as an 'inspiration' to all colleagues past and present. Professor Richard A. Williams, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, led the tributes to Sir Geoff. He said: 'Today marks a sad day for this University and for everyone who knew Sir Geoff. 'He was an inspiration not just to me but to colleagues past and present, and countless students around the world. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for education was impossible to ignore and this University was all the richer for having such a strong association with him over the years. 'He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.' First Minister John Swinney said Sir Geoff's will be 'sorely missed'. He said: 'Sir Geoff Palmer was a pioneer and an outstanding intellectual. He had a hugely positive impact on Scotland and will be sorely missed.' In a post to social media on Thursday night, Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury said he was 'deeply saddened' following the news of Sir Geoff's passing. 'He was not only a distinguished scientist & academic, but also a courageous voice for justice & equality,' Mr Choudhury wrote. 'My sincere condolences to his family & all who knew and admired him. May his soul rest in peace.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also paid tribute. In a post on X, he said: 'Very sad news … Sir Geoff was a gentleman, a pioneer and an intellectual giant. 'He will be dearly missed. Love to his family and friends.' Born in 1940, Sir Geoff arrived in Edinburgh in 1964 to pursue a PhD in grain science and technology jointly with the then Heriot-Watt College and the University of Edinburgh. After completing his doctorate in 1967, he began working at the Brewing Research Foundation, where his academic work saw him invent the industrial process of barley abrasion and pioneer the scanning electron microscope to study cereal grains. Sir Geoff went on to become Scotland's first black professor in 1989 before eventually retiring in 2005, but was later appointed chancellor of Heriot-Watt in 2021. He was knighted in the 2014 New Year's Honours for services to human rights, science and charity and in July 2024, he was recognised for his contribution to Scotland and installed in the prestigious Order of the Thistle. Also known as a passionate advocate for the rights of black communities, Sir Geoff's legacy saw him invited by Edinburgh City Council to chair a review group looking at the city's colonial heritage. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Scotsman
Sir Geoff Palmer: ‘Intellectual giant' and Heriot-Watt University academic dies aged 85
Sir Geoff Palmer - a professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh - has died. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Academic and human rights campaigner Professor Sir Geoff Palmer has been described as a 'pioneer and an intellectual giant' following his death at the age of 85. Sir Geoff – a professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh – became Scotland's first black professor in 1989. His death was confirmed in a post to social media last night by Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury, who said he was 'deeply saddened' to share the news of Sir Geoff's passing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Academic and human rights campaigner Sir Geoff Palmer. | Lisa Ferguson "He was not only a distinguished scientist & academic, but also a courageous voice for justice & equality,' Mr Choudhury wrote. 'My sincere condolences to his family & all who knew and admired him. May his soul rest in peace.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also paid tribute. In a post on X, he said: 'Very sad news … Sir Geoff was a gentleman, a pioneer and an intellectual giant. "He will be dearly missed. Love to his family and friends.' Lothian MSP Miles Briggs added: 'Sir Geoff was a real character and gentleman with a distinguished career in academia at Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad @HeriotWattUni and his work on human rights and racial equality. 'What an amazing life and contribution to life in Edinburgh. RIP.' Born in Jamaica in 1940, Sir Geoff first arrived in Edinburgh in 1964 to pursue a PhD in grain science and technology jointly with the then Heriot-Watt College and the University of Edinburgh. Upon completion of his doctorate in 1967, he began working at the Brewing Research Foundation where he developed the industrial process of barley abrasion and pioneered the use of the scanning electron microscope to study cereal grains. Sir Geoff became the first black professor in Scotland and retired in 2005, but was later appointed Chancellor of Heriot-Watt in 2021. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was knighted in the 2014 New Year's Honours for services to human rights, science and charity.
