EMLE Anthony Ogus obituary

[Nuno Garoupa]

Professor Anthony Ogus CBE FBA (1945-2026)

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Anthony Ogus, an eminent scholar and a formative figure in the development of the European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) programme.

Professor Ogus was for many years a central pillar of EMLE in its formative phase, representing University of Manchester as a partner university. When the University of Manchester was a member of EMLE, his intellectual influence and personal commitment helped shape EMLE into what it is today. Even after Manchester’s formal withdrawal following EMLE’s transition into an Erasmus Mundus programme, he remained closely connected to the programme, continuing to contribute as a visiting scholar, notably at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Anthony Ogus was an outstanding legal scholar and one of the pioneers of law and economics in Europe. His work, spanning fields such as the economics of regulation, consumer protection, nuisance law, and social security law, has left a lasting mark on the discipline. He was among the earliest scholars to systematically analyse public law through the lens of economic reasoning, with particular attention to regulation and self-regulation—areas in which his insights remain foundational.

Beyond his academic achievements, Anthony was a man of distinctive personal passions. He was a devoted and extraordinarily knowledgeable lover of opera and classical music. In later years, he channelled this passion into writing, most notably in his book Travels with My Opera Glasses: A Fanatic’s Tales of Delights and Disappointments, a vivid reflection of his experiences as an opera enthusiast.

For many in the European law and economics community, Anthony Ogus was more than a distinguished academic; he was a role model and an inspiration. His work helped define a field, and his presence helped build a community that continues to thrive today.

On behalf of the EMLE programme, we express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues. He will be greatly missed, and his legacy will endure in the many scholars and students he influenced over the decades.

On behalf of the EMLE programme

Professor Wolf-Georg Ringe
EMLE Director