The University is saddened to learn of the passing of Emeritus Professor Peter Newstead, from the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
The tribute below is from Professor Peter Giblin and Chris Marchant:
Peter was a pioneer in his field of Algebraic Geometry, forming the VBAC research community and chairing it until 2020. VBAC stands for Vector Bundles on Algebraic Curves, a field to which Peter contributed much. See http://vbac.wikidot.com/ Peter authored or co-authored more than 80 research articles over his career.
After a distinguished career as a student in Cambridge, he joined the (then) Pure Mathematics department in 1965, retiring as Emeritus Professor in 2006. He continued to be active in research until very recently (two publications are dated 2024).
He and his wife Ann hosted numerous research visitors to the department, and they also made extended visits to many European mathematicians, especially after his retirement. Peter and Ann spent 8 months in the United States and Mexico, including an international conference in honour of Peter’s 65th birthday in 2006.
His patience, kindness and calm manner made him an excellent mentor to many students and young academics. He taught courses at all levels from first year to six different MSc courses. He was a shrewd and well-informed member of departmental committees and working groups and served on Senate from 1979 to 1985.
Peter was a leading light in the Liverpool Mathematical Society, spearheading its revival during the 1980s and 1990s. He served as President in 1998 and was Treasurer for many years until 2024.
He died peacefully in his wife, Ann’s, arms on Saturday 27th July, aged 82.
His small funeral for family and close friends took place at Widnes Crematorium.
Any messages of condolence that people would like to send to Ann, please email them to Chris Marchant – marchant@liverpool.ac.uk so that he can collate them for her.