Following the news of the death of David Wright (Staff, 1973-2006), we have created this page for OHs to share their memories of the popular history teacher and polymath. If you have memories to share of David, please email us here.

A sensitive and thoughtful man

I well remember David’s arrival at Haileybury in the Michaelmas term of 1973. I had finished my A-levels and was doing the extra Oxbridge entrance term which was traditional at the time. I was hoping to go up to Oxford on History. David had arrived from King’s College Cambridge, did not seem much older than his more senior pupils, and was charged with our small band of historians, which consisted of myself, Mark Fisher (Bartle Frere) and possibly a.n.other.

We always met in his room on the first floor at the front of Big School and we passed the time in the same way, as I subsequently discovered, an Oxbridge don would discuss matters with undergraduates in a tutorial. He introduced me to the Admissions Tutor at King’s but I decided to stick with Oxford. To tell the truth, I cannot remember doing any work or learning anything, but David obviously knew what he was doing because I got into Oxford, and if my memory serves me correctly Mark got into Cambridge. At least we learned how to carry, or, to be more precise, not carry, our drink!

I also remember my mother later inviting David to join us on holiday in Burnham Norton in Norfolk, near the Admiral Nelson pub, where David naturally enjoyed the Hook Norton ale served on a tray through a hatch. I had no inkling that he was religiously inclined. He was a lovely, sensitive and thoughtful man – committed to the well-being of his young charges.

Robin Hollington (Aby 68)

Endlessly patient

I knew David before I joined the 6th Form at Haileybury. He was a friend of my parents, through Jack Thomas I think, and used to spend holidays with us in North Norfolk, exploring medieval churches, and sharing his extensive knowledge with us. These trips inspired me with a lifelong interest, and I even studied medieval church architecture and manuscripts in my 3rd year at Cambridge between my medical studies as a result.

I didn’t come across him in the classroom at Haileybury as I took science A levels, but he taught me to play bridge with Robert Purdy, Cliff Simmonds and Simon Kverndal. I have happy memories of regular Sunday evening bridge sessions up in his rooms over Big School. It all seemed very grown-up and he was endlessly patient with us all.

Elizabeth Nodder (nee Jory) (Tr 75)

An outstanding Housemaster

So sorry to hear this sad news. I remember DPW as an outstanding housemaster of Kipling, possessed of an open heart and an open mind. He was always excellent at putting the responsibility onto the student, thereby demanding we make more mature decisions. The Kipling double doors were always open during the evenings, making it very difficult for us to know whether he was there or not. He had a huge intellectual range, which made him an superb tutor for Oxbridge interviews and exams. My condolences to Helen and his friends and family.

Simon Frank (K 85)

A tremendous influence

I was never one of David’s history pupils, but he was nonetheless a tremendous influence during my sixth form years. He was hugely generous with his time, intellectual energy and hospitality, and contributed in so many ways to the lives of countless Haileyburians.

Elizabeth has mentioned Sunday evening bridge sessions which I, too, well remember. There was always music in David’s Big School rooms; it was through him that I first encountered opera (La Boheme and The Magic Flute come to mind), and numerous poets. Fine wine was often shared.

Looking back some 45 years, it seems to me that as we pupils made the transition from adolescence David provided pointers as to how we might enrich our adult lives. I for one am privileged to have enjoyed his friendship.

Robert Purdy (BF 71) Head of School

Kind and engaging

I have two memories of David Wright:

Firstly partnering DPW in fives v the USA when they came to a visit. I can’t remember the score but JBWT (Jack Thomas) was scoring – so it was fair to say Haileybury won the match… we had a great match!

Secondly as Joint Captain of the Hedgehogs with Chris Rauch (E 81) in the 1980s when we had an unbeaten season and played some great rugby. We had a fantastic and if not somewhat unusual warm-up that included a lot of laughter and jumping about. PRW (Roger Woodburn (Staff 1978-2015)) always encouraged us to have fun and not to take ourselves too seriously. The result was that I enjoyed my rugby and as I move to university and later life I played rugby for longer and to a higher standard that I would have ever done.

Overall I remember a kind and engaging teacher who had time for you.

Andew Bowen (E 87)

Inspirational teacher who treated us as adults

I am very saddened to hear of the death of David Wright. With Andrew Hambling (Staff 1956-91) he was responsible for getting me into Oxford to read History: Andrew providing the basics through toil and sweat, David providing the inspiration and teaching the need for a broader and deeper interpretation of “facts” – a perfect team. He drew up a holiday reading list for Oxbridge candidates including Bronowski, Clark, Mann, Arnold, Smith, Rousseau- a list which brought riches far beyond a normal school education, and provoked a life-long thirst for knowledge.

He treated pupils as adults, introducing many of us to red wine at his flat whilst listening to such as the Reith Lectures on the radio (a surprisingly popular “listen”!) and the joys of eggnog on a crisp winter weekend in his garden. But all with an academic point to it and as an aid to provoking an enquiring mind.

He was remarkably tolerant of those who could not match his intellect (all of us) and had a sense of humour that even survived discovering that his beloved Mini had been moved into big school before Lists on the last morning of term by person or persons unknown!

So many of us owe him so much, not just for a school education but for educating us in so much more as we moved into adulthood.

My mother and I send our condolences to his family.

Richard Ellis (L 74)

Sound advice

I have only fond memories of DPW whether as my history teacher or rugby coach for the Hedgehogs.

He once told me/our class that he would give us everything we needed to pass the A level (Late Medieval History), if we wanted a good grade then we must go to the library…. I passed; I don’t regret it, but have learned finally the benefit of doing the extra work. He also stopped marking my essays after the third spelling mistake (siding with my grandfather no doubt). I received some pretty good marks on opening paragraphs [?]

Thank you and god speed

Victor Manning (Tr 82)

Comments from our Facebook page

Andrew Sanders (A 78) – Sad news indeed. He was Assistant Housemaster at Allenby when I was there (78-83). A fabulous and enthusiastic teacher with a great sense of humour.
Nick Nottingham (A & BF 80) – A sad day indeed. He was a wonderful deputy housemaster, ran cross country, edited the school magazine and organised a sixth form wine tasting society – and much more besides. Most of all he was a kind-hearted polymath, rich in all sorts of knowledge, both human and intellectual. He enriched all of us. RIP David, and thank you.
Lance Gerrard-Wright (Th 81) – I remember him treating us completely as adults, never talking down; discussing US gun crime (very much ahead of his time!); the adorable black lab Sheba; and that slow, sardonic bone-dry sense of humour. A quite excellent teacher and mentor. RIP
Marc Naidu (B 84) – Rest in peace Mr. Wright

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David Wright (Staff, 1973-2006) – OHs share their memories