Dr Jack Barrott OBE: launching new opportunities for Sheffield scientists

Dr Jack Barrott was born and raised in the Steel City, attended the University of Sheffield, and remained a valued Friend of the University for decades beyond.

When he sadly passed away in December 2023, his love of Sheffield was immortalised in a generous gift of £10,000 left to the University in his Will. This kind show of support will empower a range of science-based projects, greatly enhancing the academic experience for many current and future students.

Born in Jessop Hospital in 1928, Jack received a scholarship to study for a BSc in Chemistry at the University - which he quickly followed up with a PhD - graduating in 1949 and 1952 respectively. He was an active force in the Chemistry Society, also taking up roles as a Faculty representative, Student Councillor, and a member of the Publications Committee.

^{Man about town - Jack (shown wearing glasses) and friend on Sheffield's Pinstone Street in the early 1950s}

Given Jack's lifelong love of chemistry, it's fitting that one notable beneficiary of his support is the Project Sunride initiative, Sheffield's own student-led rocket team. Project Sunride provides a platform for nearly 100 student scientists to build and launch test rockets and rocket engines, with the ultimate goal being to reach space.

Like so much donor-funded work at Sheffield, Project Sunride is also about gaining valuable hands-on and teamworking experience, inspiring and enabling Sheffield graduates to pursue careers in their chosen industries. Without the dedicated support of alumni like Jack, many unique endeavours like this would never get off the launchpad.

Jack also had a keen interest in photography and history. These passions are beautifully illustrated by the many photos he captured of student life in the 1940s and 1950, several of which appear on this page.

Jack especially enjoyed spending time in the Students' Union, attending events themed around politics, debate, film, and music. A highlight of his week was often the Saturday night 'hops', which he'd regularly attend along with hundreds of his fellow students. Like many of his peers at the time, he also looked back fondly on the student RAG events, describing them as exciting and collaborative efforts that 'really brought the student body together'.

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^{Images by Jack: (1) RAG participants on a flatbed truck and (2) gathered in the city centre, 1947; (3) a Chemistry Research dinner, 1949; (4) an Honorary Degree ceremony, 1948}

He always loved the sense of camaraderie and community he found at Sheffield, recalling sharing lecture notes with German prisoners of war from the Redmires Camp, and spending plenty of time relaxing with friends in the Students' Union. The shadow of wartime was ever present in Jack's memories of university - he often reminisced about fish and chip suppers and singalongs at local pubs, noting that a chippy tea was one of the few things in ready supply at a time of severe rationing!

As an avid fan of international travel, he later went on to work with the British Council in Kenya, Egypt, and Poland, before finally settling in Italy. In doing so, Jack passed on a love of the Italian language and culture to his son Adrian - who himself later chose to study Italian and English at Sheffield.

^{Jack with his OBE (l), and working in his study}

Jack made numerous return visits for events at the University throughout his life, and often spoke of how fondly he recalled his time here. The appreciation he showed for the support of his alma mater in his own youth is now reflected in the profound benefits he's bestowing on a new generation of Sheffield students.

The University is immensely grateful for his kind and impactful contributions, and will always remember Jack fondly.