In memory of Cecil Raymond Julian Humphery-Smith O.B.E., F.S.A

In a report on its newsletter, the IHGS said: 'The Institute regrets to announce the death in his 93rd year of its founder. Cecil was educated at Hurstpierpoint College in Sussex. His interest in genealogy was encouraged by his godfather, Julian Bickersteth, then Archdeacon of Maidstone.

'Julian's invitation to Cecil to establish a school devoted to the study of family history came to fruition in 1961, with the founding of The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies in Canterbury. He was a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists, an honorary Vice-President of Kent Family History Society and a member of Council of L'Académie Internationale d'Héraldique. He received several other academic and literary honours from around the world. He was awarded an O.B.E. for services to education in genealogy and heraldry in 2004, and in 2008 he was awarded an honorary Fellowship of Canterbury Christ Church University.

'Cecil has left behind him not only the physical legacy of the Institute, and the intellectual legacy of his many books, but also a large and thriving clan of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by the international community of heraldists and genealogists, of which he was such a cherished member. A fuller appreciation of his life and works will appear in the August edition of Family History, the journal he edited until 2013.'

For more on the Institute and its work, visit the IHGS website.