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John Lambert
Professor Laurie Short

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University of Newcastle History

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The Friends of the University

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1980s - UON

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Mr. John Lambert with Professor Laurie Short (centre) and an unidentified man, the University of Newcastle, Australia

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DescriptionThis photo appeared in the University News April 2002. The Text was: "Former Director of the University's Computing Centre John Lambert, who passed away in May last year, had a long and distinguished association with the University. His work with computers at Callaghan continued beyond his official retirement, as the following tribute written by Alexis Antonia reveals. Alexis, from the Centre for Literary and Linguistic Computing worked with John from 1980 to 2001. Working with John It was with some trepidation that I prepared for my first meeting with John Lambert, then Director of the University's Computing Centre. I had just been appointed as Research Assistant to the then Professor of English John Burrows, who had received a grant to do computer assisted analysis of Jane Austen's novels. I needn't have worried. John quickly put us at ease and assured us that our total unfamiliarity with the Brave New World of computing didn't matter at all. In those days the Computing Centre consisted of a mainframe machine connected to a number of Visual Display Units. Very few people (certainly no one in the humanities) had their own VDU. There were perhaps of these "magic machines" available for general use in a room near the Computing Centre. It should not have surprised us that the Director of the Computing Centre took a personal interest in our project. One of John's most endearing qualities was the possession of an open enquiring mind - he was interested in, and knowledgeable about, all manner of things. Happily for us, one of his pet interests was the English language. I was recently informed that John's interest in computing in the humanities pre-dated his association with us. Apparently, when the very first computer appeared on campus, only three people were permitted to use it - two mathematicians, John Lambert and Warren Brisley, and a metallurgist, Eric Hall. When they decided to write a concordance program, John tested it on a phrase from Beowulf, much to the delight of the University's inaugural Vice-Chancellor, James Auchmuty. During the early years of our research, John was always available to us. No problem was too small or trivial; nothing was too much trouble for him. Our initial work culminated in the publication of John Burrows' 1987 book Computation into Criticism. A Study of Jane Austen's novels and an Experiment in Method.A special research centre, the Centre for Literary and Linguistic Computing (CLLC), was established on campus to facilitate the continuation of work with what has become known as the "Burrows' Method". When John retired as Director of the Computing Centre the CLLC was quick to take advantage of his interest in our work and secured his services as a part-time programmer. The acquisition of John's expertise was both felicitous and timely. At that stage the CLLC was one of the heaviest users of the VAX system with a whole range of programs that were VAX dependent. When it became clear that PC's were to become the preferred way of computing, John started to rewrite our programs for the PC. Miraculously - it seemed to us - he had the new programs up and running just as the plugs were pulled on VAX. Ever a perfectionist, John kept improving our suite of programs right up until his untimely death. Always looking ot the future, he had begun work on a program for converting our electronic texts to TEI format. Working with John after his 'official' retirement gave me some insight into what an amazing, many-sided person he was. first and foremost came his family - his wife, children and grandchildren were a constant source of pride and pleasure. He gloried in them and their achievements. The University - with which John had been associated since its inaugural days at Tighes Hill - was important to him, and he gave it unstinting service. His work for the Union was recognised with the naming of the Lambert Lounge in his honour. He acted as Treasurer for the Friends of the University, producing the best reports and newsletters than computer technology could provide. He was Web Master for the Faculty of Arts and Social Science and freely gave his time and expertise to any Department that required it. For many years John was called upon to run teaching seminars on Excel, one of his many areas of expertise. He regularly lunched with members of the retired lecturers association, so acting as a link between the University's past and present. John was so full of life that his sudden death in May 2001 took me totally by surprise. Even now, almost a year later, I miss working with John." Pictured: From the University archives - John Lambert and Professor L. Short with the Vax II computer in May 1988. This image was scanned from a photograph in the University's historical photographic collection held by Special Collections. If you would like to comment on the photograph, please contact Special Collections or add a Recollection, using these instructions.InformationFlickr CommentEss Ron: From other photos in the archive (and the calendar in the photo!), this photo is dated Friday 9 May 1980, on the arrival/installation/commissioning of the University's VAX 11/780 computer SubjectUniversity of Newcastle (N.S.W.)Newcastle UniversityJohn LambertLaurie ShortDatenot specifiedSourcehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/2653476781/

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CollectionUniversity of Newcastle HistoryOrganisationThe Friends of the UniversityExhibition 1980s - UON

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RestrictionsThe image can be used for study and personal research purposes. If you wish to reproduce this image for any other purpose please contact Special Collections. Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

IdentifierP799-49a

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John Lambert

Professor Laurie Short

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