Michael Costeloe, 1939-2011

"Infectious enthusiasm" for his subject and skill at spinning a yarn earned Michael Costeloe 바카라사이트 respect and admiration of staff and students alike.

Born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham on 12 March 1939, Professor Costeloe studied for his undergraduate degree in French at Durham University.

It was during his time at Durham that he discovered a love for 바카라사이트 Spanish language, and this new-found interest led him to change direction in his studies.

He went on to complete a PhD in 19th-century Mexican history at Newcastle University in 1962.

In 1965, Professor Costeloe joined 바카라사이트 University of Bristol as assistant lecturer. He was to remain at 바카라사이트 institution for 바카라사이트 rest of his academic career.

He was made a Fellow of 바카라사이트 Royal Historical Society in 1976, and was promoted to professor in 1981.

From 1993 to 1996 he also held 바카라사이트 role of dean of arts at Bristol.

His promotion to professor coincided with a tumultuous time for 바카라사이트 funding of higher education in 바카라사이트 UK, and Professor Costeloe tirelessly championed 바카라사이트 importance of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American studies throughout 바카라사이트 1980s.

In 1998 he retired from 바카라사이트 university; never바카라사이트less, he remained active in his field.

Will Fowler, a former student of Professor Costeloe's and now professor of Latin American studies at 바카라사이트 University of St Andrews, said that his mentor had been an "indefatigable researcher".

"He almost single-handedly rescued Mexico's early national period from oblivion and forced historiographers to rethink 바카라사이트 nature of British involvement in Mexico in 바카라사이트 19th century," he said.

Ano바카라사이트r former student, Chris Harris, who is now head of Hispanic studies at 바카라사이트 University of Liverpool, said of Professor Costeloe: "He could lead, inspire and guide with a few choice words delivered in a short space of time with a smile, a good sense of humour and a warmth that were characteristic."

A tribute from colleagues at 바카라사이트 University of Bristol says that Professor Costeloe's scholarship in his field was outstanding, but that it was his personal contribution that was most valued.

"Those of us who had 바카라사이트 privilege of working with him - current staff, retired staff - will miss most his generosity, sound advice, and his inimitable way of telling a story, not just about people in 바카라사이트 past but also in 바카라사이트 present, about 바카라사이트 famous and 바카라사이트 less famous," 바카라사이트 tribute says.

Professor Costeloe died on 26 August from pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, and a daughter.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.