Rev Prof D.W.D. Shaw OBE (1928-2020)

Death of the Revd Professor D.W.D. Shaw, OBE

The School is sad to announce that Emeritus Professor D.W.D. (Bill) Shaw, OBE died on 14 July 2020, aged 92.

Bill—uniquely, or so we believe—served as Principal of New College and Dean of Divinity in Edinburgh, and then as Principal of St Mary’s College and Dean of Divinity here in St Andrews.

His scholarship, which largely focused on process theology, was recognised by the award of an honorary DD by the University in 2005, and by a conference in his honour on the occasion of his 90th birthday, held at New College, Edinburgh, in 2018. He received his OBE for his philanthropic work, which, in the context of St Mary's, was extensive, but generally camouflaged—many a needy student would be called to his office to be informed of a ‘generous benefactor,’ not realising it was Bill himself.

Bill’s service to both the church, and the theological academy, in Scotland was extensive. He was ordained in the Church of Scotland, and served various parishes well. Active in ecumenical affairs, he was present at the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, representing the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. In 1991 he had the privilege as a representative of the Kirk to address a European Synod in the presence of Pope John Paul II.

He cared deeply about St Mary’s, visiting us very regularly until earlier this year. He was utterly supportive of the School and what we sought to achieve, and personally encouraging to those of us who had a part in prosecuting that. As a School, we have lost a great friend.

(Image courtesy of Special Collections, University of St Andrews Library)