Sir Malcolm Pasley Centenary Celebration

Sir Malcolm Pasley (1926-2004) was a towering figure of 20ᵗʰ-century literary scholarship who was instrumental in the rescue and preservation of the Franz Kafka archive, making the Bodleian Library a magnet for global research. For more than three decades, he was also a much revered tutor and Fellow of Magdalen, who helped turn the College into a Modern Languages powerhouse.

In this, his centenary year, Magdalen welcomes alumni and students to gather, to learn a little more about this self-effacing scholar and to share their reminiscences. We hope that many of Malcolm’s former students, and more recent Germanists, will seize this chance to come together in Oxford to remember and celebrate a truly remarkable College Fellow, mentor and friend.

Professor Karen Leeder (1982), one of Malcolm’s former students and the current Schwarz-Taylor chair of German Language and Literature at Oxford, will chair a distinguished panel of academic guests, followed by a drinks reception.

There will also be a unique opportunity for the first 30 sign ups to visit the Bodleian before the talk and inspect the original manuscripts in the Kafka archive. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Nobody who ever stared glumly out at the Deer Park as Malcolm, politely but unambivalently, eviscerated their arguments will forget the experience. Former students are invited to submit any of your own personal memories and anecdotes here. These will be published in a testimonial booklet, available on the day.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Timings: 10.30am – 1.30pm

Location: Grove Auditorium, Magdalen College (accessible via the Longwall Street entrance)

There is no charge for this event. Attendees are welcome to bring guests.

Please book via the button below or by emailing the Alumni Office.