Randolph Quirk

Charles Randolph Quirk, Baron Quirk, CBE, FBA (12 July 1920 – 20 December 2017) was a British linguist and life peer. He was the Quain Professor of English language and literature at University College London from 1968 to 1981. He used to sit as a crossbencher in the House of Lords.
Quirk was born in Michael on the Isle of Man. He studied at University College London, at Yale University, at Michigan State University and at Durham University. In 1985, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the University of Bath.
Quirk was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1976 New Year Honours and was knighted in 1985.
Quirk was a Labour supporter openly all his life. He was President of the British Academy from 1985 to 1989.
Quirk died in London on 20 December 2017 at the age of 97.