In Memoriam: Dr Oliver Jacobs

The Department is sad to announce the death of Dr Oliver Jacobs on 5 August 2025.

Oliver Jacobs read Engineering at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge University (1955–62) and, after a lecturership at Edinburgh University, he joined the Department in 1967 as a University Lecturer. He was also the inaugural Tutor in Engineering Science at St John’s College and an Official Fellow of the College. He retired in 2000.

Dr Jacobs was a specialist in Control Theory and author of a long-used text on the subject. In the 1980s, his main topic of research was on patient-controlled analgesia. He undertook many Departmental duties, including Chair of Sub-Faculty. He was instrumental in setting up a computer system to collate admissions data across all the colleges admitting undergraduate students to study engineering-related courses at a time when routine use of spreadsheets and databases was in its infancy.

Over his long career he held a number of College roles in St John's, including being Vice-President (1977–78), Deputy Bursar (1979–81), Establishment Bursar (1981–88), and Senior Tutor (1988–94). A keen music-lover and violin player, he was instrumental in the design of the St John's College Auditorium.

A Memorial Event for Dr Jacobs will be held at St John’s on Saturday 20th September starting at 2pm, followed by refreshments. Please email presidents.pa@sjc.ox.ac.uk for further details.