Roy Porter

The memory of Professor Canon Joshua Porter is continuing thanks to his decision to leave a £580,000 legacy to Theology, where he was a Professor and Head of Department between 1962 and 1986.

From humble beginnings, he helped turn the department into one of the most popular and distinguished places to study Theology in the country.

Keen to ensure that his lifelong work continued after his death, he left a legacy to his former department. In his final years, the academic visited the department to discuss his legacy and his wish that the teaching of Hebrew and the Old Testament should continue.

To this end, part of his bequest has already been used to bring Dr Siam Bhayro, an expert on Early Jewish Studies, from the University of Cambridge to Exeter.

"It is very difficult to overstate the importance of the Roy Porter bequest, not only to the Department of Theology, but also to the field of Biblical Studies in general at this time in the United Kingdom," says Dr Bhayro.

His post at Exeter has been funded thanks to the generous legacy left by Joshua Porter. Professor Porter, known as Roy, was a long standing theologian at the University. Under his guidance, the department grew to prominence as one of the best places in the country to study theology.

As well as being a widely respected academic and prolific writer, Professor Porter was also regarded as a great teacher, his wit often catching out unsuspecting students. He was also a great administrator. One of his passions was the teaching of Hebrew and the Old Testament. He believed strongly that the department should continue to provide an increasingly rare opportunity to mast Biblical languages, a goal that his legacy is helping to achieve.