Dedicated teacher, empathetic colleague and a playful spirit: remembering Dr John Allwright

We are very sad to share the news that our long-standing colleague Dr John C. Allwright died on 11 August 2026.

"He will be remembered by generations of students and co-workers, for his warmth, support and for bringing a smile to their lives.”

John graduated from the Department with first-class honours in 1964, completed his PhD in Control Systems in 1969 and joined Imperial as a lecturer that same year.

He later helped establish the Department of Computing and Control before returning to Electrical and Electronic Engineering. A Senior Lecturer from 1981 until his retirement in 2009, he remained an Honorary Senior Lecturer.

His colleague and friend Richard Vinter has shared this tribute:

“John Allwright was an Imperial College man through and through. It almost seemed that his association with Imperial was for him a life’s calling. He was an undergraduate and then a PhD student at the College and, after obtaining his doctorate, he was a Lecturer (later Senior Lecturer) at the College for his entire career. His close and happy marriage to Christine also has an Imperial connection, since they met as colleagues in the Electrical Engineering Department.

For much of his career John was part of the Control Group in Electrical Engineering. The group stood out internationally for the quality of its research and, naturally, the Big Beasts in the group such as its (rather intimidating) leader David Mayne, intent on their next big research breakthrough, took the limelight.

John could hold his own as a scholar and his publications include a prize-winning paper. But he was a valued member of the group also because he added a gentler, more human, side to the group environment; he was sensitive, empathetic and put people at their ease.

John was a dedicated teacher who stood out for the meticulousness of his lecture preparation and for the care he accorded to the many students he supervised at undergraduate, MSc and PhD level. He showed similar dedication in way he exercised demanding and time-consuming  managerial responsibilities, as Director of the Control Systems MSc course and Exam Coordinator.

John had a delightful playful side. He liked to waylay colleagues, to share a favourite joke. He was a whole-hearted participant in community activities aimed at bringing people together and creating a welcoming atmosphere. There was one occasion when he organised the dinner for a Group workshop. He chose a venue with Shakespearian-themed entertainment including a jester brandishing a pig’s bladder. This certainly had the desired effect, breaking down the inhibitions of his more po-faced colleagues!

He will be remembered by generations of students and co-workers, for his warmth, support and for bringing a smile to their lives.”

Our thoughts are with Christine and with John’s family and friends.