In Memoriam: Professor David Abulafia, CBE (1949–2026)

Professor Abulafia was a foundational figure for the University. His involvement predated his 2017 appointment as Beacon Professor; he served from 2015 as a dedicated member of the university’s first Academic committee which later became its Academic Board until his passing.

A Global Scholar of the Sea

A world-renowned scholar of maritime history, Professor Abulafia was an Emeritus Professor of Mediterranean History and a longstanding Papathomas Professorial Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. His contribution to the field was immense:

• His seminal works, The Great Sea and The Boundless Sea, earned the Mountbatten Maritime Award and the Wolfson History Prize, respectively.
• He was a Fellow of the British Academy and the Royal Historical Society, and a Member of the Academia Europaea.
• He was appointed CBE in 2023 for services to scholarship and was a Commendatore of the Order of the Star of Italy.

A “Beacon” for Gibraltar

Beyond his academic prestige, Professor Abulafia was a “critical friend” and a staunch supporter of our institution. Upon his appointment as our first Beacon Professor in 2017, he famously remarked:

“I come from a university which is celebrating its 800th anniversary, and here we are setting up a university… This is something which we hope will also last 800 years… this is a commitment to the future.”

Professor Abulafia was a champion of intellectual freedom and an exceptionally humble individual who always found time for students and staff. He will be deeply missed by the entire University community. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with his family at this difficult time.