The Department recently received the sad news of the passing of Professor Richard Lawton, Emeritus Professor of Geography (Liverpool) on 22nd March 2010, aged 85. Dick's last academic post was as External Professor at Loughborough from 1986-1990, having received an honoury degree from the University in 1985. Generously, in 1993 he established a covenant from which the Richard and Margaret Lawton prize for best final year student is now awarded. An esteemed historical geographer who wrote extensively on nineteenth century economic and social geographies, especially industrial geographies of his native North West, he continued to publish well into his 70s and his four years as External Professor at Loughborough were extremely productive ones. The Department offers its condolences to his family and friends, and remembers him with affection and admiration.