John Hamilton a True Scholar and a Gentleman

Former council leader leaves £320,000 for city education

Mar 14 2007

Liverpool Daily Post

FORMER council leader John Hamilton bequeathed his life savings to Liverpool’s education system. Friends described the former teacher’s generous decision as typical of his passion for improving the quality of learning in the city. Mr Hamilton, who led Liverpool through the turbulent Militant era of the 1980s, died in December aged 84. Education was always his first love, and he demonstrated that dedication by leaving almost all his £320,000 estate to Liverpool University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning. The centre offers courses for skills training and employment advice to people aged 18 to 95, and professional develop- ment for university staff. Cllr Joe Anderson, leader of Liverpool’s Labour group, was a close friend of Mr Hamilton. He said: “His whole life was dedicated to education – it was his passion and what made him tick. “He felt that the cause of socialism could only be furthered if people bettered themselves through education. “His father instilled that virtue in him when he was very young. John always wanted to make sure the city’s future was secure, so this donation just sums him up.” Anne Merry, the university’s director of lifelong learning, said: “We’re extremely grateful for this generous gift.”

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