The Department of Economic History is deeply saddened by the death of Professor Nick Crafts, a former Convenor of the Department, and a great friend and colleague. He was generous with his time, and supportive of students and young scholars and, above all, very funny.
Nick was, quite literally, a giant of his field and an inspiration to many. His work with Knick Harley, reinterpreting the British Industrial Revolution remains influential and much discussed.
Nick joined the Department of Economic History at LSE in 1995 and stayed for 10 years before returning to Warwick where he was the founding Director of CAGE.
Nick was probably the foremost economic historian of his generation yet was always modest, approachable and willing to offer advice whenever he could. I shared an office with him during his one and only year at Exeter University (1971-72) and we really clicked. Nick was in his first full-time post and I was working for a Ph.D. on the trade and shipping of the Port of London in the 18th century. He was a great help to me with the methodology of my thesis and just talking to Nick about economic history proved far more valuable than what was on offer from the rest of the department. We also shared many a good night in various pubs and restaurants in Exeter and despite Nick’s rapid upward trajectory we maintained our friendship and enjoyed meeting up when we could. Nick willingly acted as one of our external examiners when I was teaching economic history at Kingston University. He will be sadly missed but not forgotten.
Nick was probably the foremost economic historian of his generation yet was always modest, approachable and willing to offer advice whenever he could. I shared an office with him during his one and only year at Exeter (1971-72) and we really clicked. Nick was in his first full-time post and I was working for a Ph.D. on the trade and shipping of the Port of London in the 18th century. He was a great help to me with the methodology of my thesis and just talking to Nick about economic history proved far more valuable than what was on offer from the rest of the department (Michael Havinden excepted). We also shared many a good night in various pubs and restaurants in Exeter and despite Nick’s rapid upward trajectory we maintained our friendship and enjoyed meeting up when we could. Nick willingly acted as one of our external examiners when I was teaching economic history at Kingston University. He will be sadly missed but not forgotten.
Nick was a first-class scholar and colleague. His innovative approach to ‘old’ subjects was trail-blazing; his pioneering contributions to new areas enhanced both his reputation and the status of the Discipline as a core subject of the Social Sciences. His advice, always direct and incisive was invariably supportive and valued. A loss to Economic History, the Social Sciences generally and to all who had the privilege to work with and alongside him. He will be missed, yet his contributions will stand the test of time.