Former Director, Dr Charles Jones, retires

Latin Americanists from across Cambridge gathered last night at The Alexandra Arms in Cambridge to bid a happy retirement to a CLAS stalwart, Dr Charles Jones.

Charles first came to Cambridge as an undergraduate choral scholar at Clare College and stayed on to complete a doctorate at the University on the topic of Anglo-Argentine relations. He then spent many years teaching international political economy at Warwick before returning to Cambridge in 1998 at which stage he first established his link with the Centre of Latin American Studies.

Charles was Director of CLAS for eight years in total, during two different stints, from 2000-2005 and again from 2011 until September 2014. Friends new and old were in attendance at his retirement party, including one of the Centre’s first Directors, Prof David Brading, who gave a speech in Charles’ honour to, amongst others… four of the Centre’s former postdocs (now Prof Sarah Radcliffe and Drs. Françoise Barbira-Freedman, Sian Lazar and Joanna Page – the last, our new Director), PhD students past and present, administrators, librarians, writers-in-residence, a wife and even a grandson.

Although officially retired and in definite possession of his pension book, Charles will continue to do some teaching for both POLIS and the Centre (thankfully!), which he plans to dovetail with walking in the Fens, cycling and spending time in Spain (and maybe even Latin America) with Linda.

Gifts were lavished upon Charles from appreciative colleagues and students. His fondness for gadgets, music, books and fine wine was catered for by the presentation of a Sonos wireless speaker, some music vouchers, a biography of T. E. Lawrence, and a credit note for Cambridge Wine Merchants.

What is more, a song was even written (and performed!) in his honour (for which lyrics are available from Sam Mather upon request).

Farewell, Charles, it has been a pleasure!