W. H. "Bill" Newton-Smith

On April 8, 2023, Oxford Philosopher of Science W.H. (Bill) Newton-Smith died at home on his farm in Wales. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Durham; daughters (from his first marriage to Dorris Heffron), Apple (Malcolm Jolley) and Rain (Andy Goodwin); grandchildren, Alec, Will and Hamish Jolley and Willow, Autumn, Sky and Indigo Goodwin; and brothers, Richard and Robin.

Born in Orillia, Ontario on May 25, 1943 he earned his BA at Queen's, his MA at Cornell and his MA DPhil at Oxford. He became a Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Balliol College, Oxford in 1970 and went on to become, amongst other things, Senior Proctor. Throughout his career and life he was instrumental in the pursuit of truth and the fight against authoritarian regimes throughout the world. His life as an activist academic began with the Jan Hus Foundation and a series of underground lectures in Czechoslovakia which led to his arrest and expulsion from the country in 1980. From there, at the invitation of George Soros, he became the leading force behind the establishment of the Central European University. He was responsible for founding or overhauling 35 universities on behalf of the Soros Foundation. His last venture as founding chair of Black Mountains College in Wales will take its first degree students this coming fall.

A memorial service at Balliol College, Oxford will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to Black Mountains College. Otherwise, pursue truth.