Obituary: Professor Stephen Lawn

30 Sep 2016

The Trustees and staff of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) are saddened to learn that Professor Stephen Lawn died on the 23 September 2016.

Former RSTMH Fellow, Stephen was Professor of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and closely linked to the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape Town, where he was based from 2005 to 2012. His work was honoured by the Desmond Tutu Foundation and the government of South Africa, and he was awarded the RSTMH's Chalmers Medal in 2012.

Stephen reviewed and authored many papers for the RSTMH journals Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene and International Health, most recently authoring the Editor's Choice paper in the August issue of Transactions and contributing to our TB special issue earlier this year. We remain indebted to him for his tireless service over many years.

The Society offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to Stephen's wife Joy and his two children. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has established the Stephen Lawn Memorial Fund, which aims to continue his legacy, inspiring a new generation of TB researchers. Donations can be made online.