Robin Okey’s gift to the LSW: the profound impact of leaving a legacy

The strength of the relationship formed between the Learned Society of Wales and its Fellows is the most gratifying aspect of our work.

We were therefore humbled to discover in March that our late Fellow, Professor Robin Okey FLSW, had left us a legacy of nearly £70,000 in his will, following his death in 2023.  His generosity sprang from a deep affection for Wales and for the Learned Society of Wales. We feel immense gratitude for his gift.

Born in Cardiff, Robin Okey was a historian who spent forty years working at Warwick University, specialising on eastern Europe. His research was perhaps best encapsulated in his book Eastern Europe, 1740-1980: Feudalism to Communism. His last book, Towards Modern Nationhood: Wales and Slovenia, c.1750–1918, was published shortly before his death and was awarded Jesus College’s Francis Jones Prize for the best book on Welsh history published in 2023.  Tributes to him remembered a gentle and unfailingly kind man, multi-lingual and intellectually razor-sharp, and passionate about Welsh rugby.

As with all charities, legacies such as Robin’s are one of the best ways to support our charitable purpose. After family and friends are provided for, even a small gift can have a profound and lasting effect. For a small and young organisation, like ourselves, they help build long-term sustainability, while allowing us to weather the storms, regional or global, that challenge our progress.

If you would like to consider leaving a legacy for the Learned Society of Wales, there is information on our website  and in this leaflet, or you can contact our Chief Executive, Olivia Harrison, for an informal, initial conversation.

Leaving a legacy has tangible results. It allows us to expand our network for early career researchers, offering a helping hand to those at the start of their research journey, from those who have travelled the furthest.

Legacies also help us award the medals that celebrate and advocate for Welsh research, run the initiatives that diversify our Fellowship, and hold the roundtables that shape policy debates.

Robin Okey’s generosity, and that of all of you who support us, make possible our work for Wales.