Dame Diana Clavering Collins, DBE (1917-2003)

[Michael Rhodes]

Dame Diana Clavering Collins, DBE, who died 23 May, 2003, aged 85, was
the widow of Canon John Collins, the controversial Canon of St Paul's
Cathedral with an international reputation for his leadership of the
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the British campaign against
apartheid in South Africa.

She was born 13 August, 1917, the daughter of Jan Lettsom Elliot and
Florence Elizabeth Vere Fison, and was educated at Bedgebury Park
School; Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.

Career: Trustee International Defence & Aid Fund for Southern Africa
1982-91; Canon Collins Education Trust for Southern Africa, from 1991.

She received a Hon DLit Degree from the University of Bradford in
1996, and was appointed DBE in 1999.

She married in 1939, the Rev. Canon (Lewis) John Collins (1905-82),
Canon from 1948, Treasurer since 1970, of St Paul's Cathedral
(Chancellor 1948-53; Precentor, 1953-70).

She was the mother of four sons, including Sir Andrew Collins (Mr
Justice Collins) a Judge of the High Court, Queen's Bench Divison
since 1994.

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Michael Rhodes