It is with deep sadness that the Faculty reports the death of Mr David Yale, QC(Hon), FBA, on 26 June 2021. David’s association with the Law Faculty and the University was a long and fruitful one. After pursuing his undergraduate studies at Queens’, David became a Research Fellow at Christ’s College in 1950 and remained there for the rest of his career. He was appointed Reader in English Legal History in 1969 and was an outstandingly generous contributor to the work of the Faculty, undertaking a variety of key roles that included serving as Faculty Chair between 1976 and 1979 and as editor of the Cambridge Law Journal between 1974 and 1981.
David was a scholar of immense distinction and an inspirational figure who will be remembered for his formidable contribution to the field of English Legal History and for the extraordinary depth and quality of his research work, focused upon equity, the High Court of Admiralty (with Michael Prichard), and the writings of Sir Matthew Hale. His two-volume edition of the reports of Lord Nottingham C, in particular, formed a classic and seminal contribution to the historiography of equity. He was Literary Director of the Selden Society, first with Toby Milsom between 1976 and 1980, and then with John Baker between 1980 and 1990, becoming President of the Society in 1994. The David Yale Prize was instituted in 1998 by the Society in his honour and it is awarded biennially to early-career scholars for outstanding contributions to the history of the Law of England and Wales.
David will also be remembered by generations of former students for his unique warmth and dedication to them and for the excellence of his teaching. He will be greatly missed.
A detailed biography of David and details of his publications, interviews and photographs are available in the Squire Eminent Scholars Archive.