D Barrie Fleet
Common Room 1980-95
Barrie Fleet joined the Common Room as Head of Classics and subsequently became Director of Studies. He ran the Debating Society, inaugurated the Rugg Prize and was much involved in the musical and intellectual life of the School. He became increasingly in demand in the University and left to become Director of Studies in Classics and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College. Caroline Wiedermann, who was appointed by him to the Classics Department and subsequently succeeded him as Head of Classics, writes:
“Barrie was quietly spoken, usually calm and collected, and completely in control of a classroom. He had a light-touch manner in terms of running the Department. I always felt that everything ran like clockwork without any great fuss or noise or show. He had a great sense of humour, laughing at himself as much as anything else. He was obviously a scholarly person and yet again he did not push this on anyone nor try to brag. I think he used intellect and charm to get others to do what he wished. Everything was subtle and understated. For this reason, he was an ideal mentor as I started my teaching career: he gave advice not orders, he made suggestions not instructions. He supported with kindness and understanding, and he also allowed me to offer opinions and try out new ideas, even if I made mistakes.”
He leaves his wife, Hekka, a distinguished concert pianist, who was much involved in the life of the School during his career. Those who attended the Reading Party will remember both their contributions.
Words by John Harding, Common Room 1968-2005 and Caroline Wiedermann, Common Room 1982-2017