The Neil Hopkinson Memorial Fund has been established to celebrate the unique contribution of Dr Neil Hopkinson (1957-2021) to the study and teaching of undergraduates in Classics at Cambridge.

In 2013, students, alumni, staff, and Fellows gathered to celebrate Neil’s 30 years as Director of Studies. He was also awarded one of Trinity’s inaugural Teaching Awards in 2016, recommended by his students. In addition, Katie Lam (Classics, 2009), said of Neil: “We adored him — his dry wit, his gentle manner, his towering intellect, his quiet passion, his unwavering determination that everyone who studied under him should offer the very best of themselves.” A full tribute to him by his fellow Classicists and former students can be found here.Neil, a renowned scholar of the Greek poetry of the Hellenistic Age and Roman Empire, was beloved by generations of Trinity Classics students for his dedication to their teaching. He joined Trinity as Director of Studies in Classics in 1983, navigating generations of undergraduates through the Tripos. His commitment to pastoral care, including memorable “Reading Parties” in the north of England and “Dessert” events (hosted in his rooms where the goal was simply to eat large quantities of puddings), allowed his students to reach their academic potential while, just as importantly, experiencing life to the full.

In recognition of Neil’s impact on so many, both personally and academically, at Trinity and across the University, the Neil Hopkinson Memorial Fund has been established to help students studying Classics. The Fund will support undergraduates from low-income households studying Classics, with a preference for those who have not studied Greek before. If there are no qualifying candidates at Trinity, the Fund will seek to support a student at another Cambridge College who meets these criteria.

You can make a gift in memory of Neil Hopkinson here.

Donations to the Neil Hopkinson Memorial Fund can also be eligible for the Harding Challenge, thereby unlocking a matching contribution to help other undergraduates in need across collegiate Cambridge.