John Mackinlay

Professor David J Betz pays tribute to War Studies Department stalwart John Mackinlay, who sadly passed away just before Christmas. 

John was a superb lecturer, with the knack of enthralling, challenging and informing his students, whilst maintaining an amazing rapport. With expertise initially in peacekeeping and later expanding into insurgency, he gained a prominent international reputation in this field.  

Incredible research 

In the 2000s when insurgency returned to the global stage, John was among the first to say something new about it. His book, The Insurgent Archipelago, is an incredible piece of work on the impact of globalisation and insurgency. 

John founded the Evolution of Insurgency MA course, which is still running and very popular with students. Beyond academia, art was one of his passions and, if recollection serves correctly, he also created a course on war art with a colleague in the Courtauld Institute of Art. In later life, he indulged an interest in painting, at which he became quite skilful.  

Dedicated to students 

Despite his effortless delivery, typically lecturing without notes and seemingly off the cuff, John's dedication was unwavering. He put 100% effort into everything he did. By the second week of class, he'd have laboriously memorised the students' names, where they came from and a notable fact about them. It's no wonder he inspired devotion in them.  

John was also a very dedicated supervisor to many PhD students, some of whom became members of staff. He also mentored several colleagues. 

Military service 

Before turning to academic pursuits, he was a very accomplished soldier. He spent more than 20 years in the Gurkha Regiment, which, had he stayed in the Army, I suspect he would have ended up commanding. He looked like a soldier, too — trim, alert and always well turned out.     

He also had a soldierly bluntness about him. In my first lengthy interaction with him, after I had spoken of a new interest in irregular warfare, he remarked simply, 'you have a lot to learn'. But he was very patient and dedicated to people who wished to learn.  

He was a good scholar and friend, and he'll be greatly missed by many.  

The details of this obituary were provided by Professor David J Betz.