Gonville & Caius College Fellow Dr David Holburn has died. He was 72. 

This article was first published on November 10, 2025:

Elected a Fellow and College Lecturer in Engineering at Caius in October 1993, David supervised generations of Caius Engineers in Electrical Engineering papers and became Director of Studies from 2000. He continued in both roles after becoming a Life Fellow in October 2020, on retirement from his University of Cambridge position.

The Master, Professor Richard Gilbertson, expressed condolences to Dr Holburn’s family and friends, and the College Flag will fly at half-mast for three days. A book of condolence is open in the College Chapel. For those not in a position to visit Caius, please complete the online form below with memories of Dr Holburn. These messages will be compiled into a book to be shared with the Holburn family.

“It is with great sadness that I share the news that Dr David Holburn passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening,” Professor Gilbertson said.

“He made substantial contributions to the College throughout his time as a Fellow, including one year as Acting Senior Tutor and nine years as Senior Tutor.  David continued in his role as Director of Studies and Supervisor for Part IA Engineering up until his untimely passing on Saturday.

“In addition to his teaching and administrative contributions, David's family have informed me of how much joy he got from singing with GCMS (the Music Society) in the College concerts.”

Originally from County Durham, Dr Holburn studied Natural Sciences and Electrical Sciences at the University of Cambridge, graduating from Fitzwilliam College in 1975. He continued as a research student in the Department of Engineering, and in 1979 took his PhD in computer-aided techniques for topographical analysis in the scanning electron microscope. 

Since then he has worked as a research associate in microelectronics, as a consultant, and as a lecturer in Computer Science at Westfield College and King’s College, University of London. He took up his University of Cambridge post in 1986 and was head of the Scientific Imaging Group, working in collaboration with industry on the further advancement of the modern Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and other high performance scientific imaging systems.

David was also an active member of Cambridge University Wireless Society, and an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, and his two sons, Jonathan and Tim. 

A book of condolence is open in the College Chapel. For those not in a position to visit Caius, please complete the below form with memories of Dr Holburn. These messages will be compiled into a book to be shared with the Holburn family.