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John Hopkins (academic)
Encyclopedia
John Hopkins is an Emeritus
fellow of Downing College, Cambridge
. He is married to Cherry, a retired fellow and Director of Studies in law of Girton College, Cambridge
.
He read law at Queens' College, Cambridge
, was awarded his B.A. in 1960, and his LLB the following year, accompanied by the Whewell Scholarship in International Law. He was elected to a fellowship at Downing in October 1961. He was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn
in 1964. Thereafter, he held many positions in college, including Tutor, Senior Tutor and Director of Studies in Law, retiring in 2004. He has been Visiting Professor at City University, London
since 1980. In 1981, he was elected Honorary Bencher
of Middle Temple
, London. He is a former governor of Harrow School
, Sherbourne School and Eastbourne College
, and is a governor of Wellington College
.
In his capacity as Director of Studies in Law at Downing for over 40 years, and also as a University Lecturer, John Hopkins guided generations of students through the highs and lows of Constitutional, Equity and International Law
, regaling them with scores of (often the same) humorous stories and jokes.
His love of Winnie-the-Pooh
is legendary. His style of supervision, delivered in the old style, pipe in hand,(smoking matches, as the pipe never seemed to light, and banging the pipe on the bottom of his shoe) has had a widespread influence on generations of lawyers who read law at Cambridge. He taught John Cleese
Equity when he read law at Downing. (He insists that Cleese developed his Ministry of Silly Walks gait in avoiding the puddles in Downing's quad.) The following describes his supervisions perfectly :
He is a Master Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
, and a keen member of the Marylebone Cricket Club
(MCC).
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
fellow of Downing College, Cambridge
Downing College, Cambridge
Downing College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1800 and currently has around 650 students.- History :...
. He is married to Cherry, a retired fellow and Director of Studies in law of Girton College, Cambridge
Girton College, Cambridge
Girton College is one of the 31 constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. It was England's first residential women's college, established in 1869 by Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon. The full college status was only received in 1948 and marked the official admittance of women to the...
.
He read law at Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
, was awarded his B.A. in 1960, and his LLB the following year, accompanied by the Whewell Scholarship in International Law. He was elected to a fellowship at Downing in October 1961. He was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1964. Thereafter, he held many positions in college, including Tutor, Senior Tutor and Director of Studies in Law, retiring in 2004. He has been Visiting Professor at City University, London
City University, London
City University London , is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute and became a university in 1966, when it adopted its present name....
since 1980. In 1981, he was elected Honorary Bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
of Middle Temple
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
, London. He is a former governor of Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
, Sherbourne School and Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils aged 13–18, situated on the south coast of England, included in the Tatler list of top public schools. The College's current headmaster is Simon Davies. The College was founded by the Duke of Devonshire...
, and is a governor of Wellington College
Wellington College, Berkshire
-Former pupils:Notable former pupils include historian P. J. Marshall, architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, impressionist Rory Bremner, Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge, author Sebastian Faulks, language school pioneer John Haycraft, political journalist Robin Oakley, actor Sir Christopher...
.
In his capacity as Director of Studies in Law at Downing for over 40 years, and also as a University Lecturer, John Hopkins guided generations of students through the highs and lows of Constitutional, Equity and International Law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
, regaling them with scores of (often the same) humorous stories and jokes.
His love of Winnie-the-Pooh
Winnie-the-Pooh
Winnie-the-Pooh, also called Pooh Bear, is a fictional anthropomorphic bear created by A. A. Milne. The first collection of stories about the character was the book Winnie-the-Pooh , and this was followed by The House at Pooh Corner...
is legendary. His style of supervision, delivered in the old style, pipe in hand,(smoking matches, as the pipe never seemed to light, and banging the pipe on the bottom of his shoe) has had a widespread influence on generations of lawyers who read law at Cambridge. He taught John Cleese
John Cleese
John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report...
Equity when he read law at Downing. (He insists that Cleese developed his Ministry of Silly Walks gait in avoiding the puddles in Downing's quad.) The following describes his supervisions perfectly :
The memorable use of "the pipe". John talks. The pipe empty of tobacco, filled from the tin, the waving of the large box of matches, the extraction of the match, the shutting of the box, the box put aside, the pointing with the pipe, the taking up of the box, the striking of the match, the box put aside the lift of pipe and match to the face, the draw - and again and again without result, the extinction of the match with one flick of the wrist, the pipe unlit and so to the repeat - to box, to match, to pipe and on. and with each movement an emphasis, a comment, a question, a pause for reply and a demand for response. All kindly done with twinkle in the eye for such clever of dumb intellects as had presented themselves to his room to be taught. And taught to good effect.
He is a Master Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
, and a keen member of the Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
(MCC).