Dennis Anderson Memorial Celebration Document_121108

8/14/2019 Dennis Anderson Memorial Celebration Document_121108

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Professor Dennis

Anderson OBE

1937-2008

Memorial Celebration

Imperial College London

1 October 2008


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Speakers

Professor Peter Pearson

Professor Ralph Turvey

Professor David Hendry

Dr William Cavendish

Dr Demetrios Papathanasiou

Lord Nicholas SternMrs Marsaleete Anderson

The rest of this booklet contains the text of some of the talks given by the

speakers, Professor Richard Prings written address, memories of Dennisfrom friends, colleagues and former students, and an obituary.1

1 Updated on 12 November 2008


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In Honour of Dennis Anderson

Richard Pring2

I

I have known Dennis for 66 years, ever since my mother allowed me, at the age of 4,into Downing Road to play with the gang whom I had watched with envy throughthe struts of our wooden gate. Dennis was in that gang, along with my brother,Michael, Jimmy Priest, Gordon Ward and David Matthews. Others such as theHobsons and John Booth would join us for some activities.

These were the war years, but the fear which our parents felt during the blitz of

Sheffield did not affect their offspring. The nights in the air raid shelters weremoments of excitement; the Andersons had their own, whilst the Prings sheltered withthe Booths next door. Indeed, this was a happy childhood, free to roam Chantreywoods, to climb the trees, to dam the stream and to wreck allotment sheds - theowners fighting far away to protect those freedoms. (The local police discovered ourtreachery, and visited each home to question the suspects, but, such was the grouployalty, that we were able to provide a consistent denial, and that episode remains oneof the unsolved crimes on the books of the Sheffield constabulary.). And as wecarried our gas masks (in case of attack) along Abbey Lane to our school, wed argueabout who could raise the largest army from amongst our brothers and uncles, manyof whom were fighting overseas. Dennis had a distinct advantage with three much

older brothers

The street party, when the end of the war was declared, remained a vivid memory forboth of us, but above all the picture of Dennis dad a big man always wearing alarge dark trilby hat (did he sleep in it?) feeling deep into his pocket, time and timeagain, to fetch out and to scatter pennies, hapennies and farthings to the excited youthof Downing Road and Sharpe Avenue. Pennies from Heaven, indeed.

Dennis father owned a charabanc, and once a year there would be a coach trip forlocal residents to Sheffield by the sea (Cleethorpes) or Bridlington or Filey orScarborough. These were thrilling occasions with long stops on the way back whilstthe men disappeared for a while for reasons we could not guess. But the roads athome were our territory, free of cars in those days; Dennis had a bat, the Prings had alace-up football, the drain cover in the middle of Downing Road served as a wicket,the Anderson and Pring gates served as goal posts. And the older we got, the furtherafield we would go, mainly to Graves Park, a mile away, via the allotment whereDennis dad kept a pig during the hungry war years, to play football or cricket in thediminished area not committed to digging for victory. But also we would onoccasion change our venue and play in Millhouses Park. There Dennis dislocated afinger saving a goal and was taken to hospital. Later that afternoon, having been

2 Richard Pring was unable to attend the Celebration and sent the written version, reproduced here.


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released, he gave the gory details of his escape from death a blue patch on his arm,if it had reached his heart, would, he was told, have been truly fatal.

The very spot of this drama can be seen from the train as it enters Sheffield fromOxford, and I always take a look and relive that game and its nearly tragic ending.

And so also from the train can be seen Heeley Baths where we learnt to swim, taught by Mrs Whitehead at the Dolphin Club, who lived opposite Dennis, married to aLittle Mester, as was Mrs. Thornhill, for ever dusting the window sill in the housenext door.

Though still in primary school, we would (the gang) set forth on Saturdays to BramallLane to watch Sheffield United, Dennis being converted from family attachment toWednesday by the pressure from the gang. And there was a shared sense of injusticethat Jimmy Hagan, the greatest inside-left ever, never received a full cap for England.The journeys back in the crowded 8 seater bay of Sheffield trams, which had queuedalong Shoreham Street (the very best trams in the country, we boasted, though we had

never been in any other city), were spent listening to the wisdom of the moreexperienced supporters as they dissected every move and the reasons why the Bladesdid not win. In the summer, we would go again to Bramall Lane to watch Yorkshireagainst the touring side and other counties. There we would make enough money, byreturning empty bottles at tuppence a bottle, to buy Tizer or Dandelion and Burdock.And we saw Yorkshire lose to Lancashire because young Brian Close had failed to

put the right sort of spikes into his cricket boots (or so the rumour was at the Pavilionend).

II

Unfortunately, time passes. At 11 we all went to different school, though we stillswung from trees together in Chantrey wood and played cricket in Graves Park. Butother demands got in the way, and a younger generation cannot appreciate thedestructive nature of the 11+ divide. At 15 Dennis was apprenticed to the YorkshireElectricity Board, and studied for his Higher National Diploma at RotherhamTechnical College. That required a long tram journey (at least an hour) acrossSheffield, changing trams in Fitzallan Square. It was at the college where a lecturer

pointed out to him that it was unusual for an apprentice of 15 or 16 to be readingalgebra, rather than the Wizard or Hotspur, to while away his time on the tram. And itwas that observation which set Dennis onto a very different path from what the

apprenticeship had expected of him. His brilliant mind, unrecognised throughout hisschooling and above all in an examination which was supposed to spot theexceptional mind, had at last been uncovered. Years later I asked Dennis how couldsomeone so brilliant at mathematics have failed his 11+ examination. His answer wasthat he could see so many answers to the questions that he could not put pen to paper.

Although our paths occasionally crossed, especially during the time when Dennis wasat the Ministry of Technology (he told a doubting Pring, as we drove back toSheffield, that one day we would be able to do this journey in a car which required nodriver just a bit of programming), we eventually lost touch, no doubt becauseDennis went to America.

III


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It was at a Feast at St. Johns College in 1989 when I (newly arrived in Oxford) metDennis during a comfort break between two of the many courses. There I learntwhere he had been, what he had achieved Visiting Fellow at St Anthonys,Professor at Imperial College, Member of the World Bank, Economic Advisor for

Shell, and so it went on - an incredible set of achievements by any standards. And itwas all the more incredible because no one who did not know him could guess suchgreatness, hidden as it was beneath the most modest and self-effacing presence.

As the years went by I would learn of the Research Centre he had helped to establishat Imperial College, and the strong moral purpose which drove him on. A scholar ofdistinction certainly, but one driven by a sense of urgency to save the planet. But inall this he looked back in gratitude to the wonderful childhood and to the caring

parents. Once, as we chatted over breakfast in the Rougemont Hotel, he said to meEe, wouldnt our mothers have been proud to see us now

That intellectual passion and sharpness remained with him throughout his last illness.The Stern Report on environmental change, to which Dennis made such a majorcontribution, had been published some time before, but its repercussions were (andare) still reverberating around the world. All this he followed closely, in hospital andout of it, anxious still to make yet further contributions, but sadly and slowlyrecognising that he would be unable to do so. He was much comforted by the visit ofone of his former PhD students during his last days. He told me how important it wasthat others would continue where he had had to leave off. Though now very weakand hardly able to talk, he raised himself to speak with passion and with hope aboutthe future if only there were others ready to take up the baton.

Is that not a true sign of greatness? To look with hope and passion to the future ofothers when your own is swiftly ebbing away?


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Peter Pearson

Friends, colleagues and former students and most of all Denniss immediate family,Marsaleete, Lucy and Margaret, welcome to this celebration of Dennis Andersonsrich and remarkable life. This will not be a sombre occasion a common theme thatruns through the many messages and memories of Dennis we have received, is thatthinking about Dennis always makes people smile. That is the spirit of todayscelebration

Since he died, an extraordinary range of people have testified to Denniss remarkablequalities, as outstanding academic, policy adviser and supervisor - but perhaps mostof all as a person. Well hear all about that today from our speakers and afterwardswell all have a chance to talk and share our memories and reflections.

First - why are we hosting this celebration at Imperial? Imperial College has cause tobe grateful to Dennis. From 1996, when Professor John Beddington invited him here,initially as a Visiting Professor, for more than a decade he committed himselfunstintingly to two aims.

The first aim was to serve a College which had helped him realise his own potentialand whose research and educational ideals he shared. In 1960 Dennis was awarded theDiploma of Imperial College and its Hinton Prize in Nuclear Engineering. He spokewarmly of this educational experience, had a high opinion of his colleagues andstudents, and wished to give something back. He poured his energies intodeveloping research with his colleagues and his research students, without counting

the cost he would willingly work evenings and weekends on projects or on studentsdrafts. And when he was paid at all, he was paid part-time and laboured full andindeed over time.

Denniss second aim was to offer objective expert policy advice to address thenational and international challenges of energy, environment and humandevelopment. In addition to his extensive activities inside the College, over the pastten years or so Dennis made an extraordinary contribution to policy, advisinggovernment on Energy Reviews and White Papers and playing an important role forthe Prime Minister's office in developing options for G8 discussions on climatechange. Nick Stern will talk later about Denniss contribution to the Stern Review of

the Economics of Climate Change. Dennis also helped define the role of technologyin responding to climate change, through his unpaid work for the IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change (the IPCC), his work for the Science and TechnologyAdvisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility and for the UKs Commission onEnvironmental Markets and Economic Performance CEMEP), and he provided expertadvice to Parliamentary Select Committees. And, of course, all this after awonderfully rich and varied career in the World Bank, Shell, the Civil Service and theelectricity industry.

Some pictures of Dennis at work here at Imperial:

ICEPT: his development of the Imperial College Centre for Energy Policy andTechnology showed vision and a remarkable capacity for interdisciplinary


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engagement with colleagues throughout the College; they have spoken and writtenwarmly about his remarkable openness to new ideas and his generosity of spirit. Inthe late 1990s Dennis went on the stump around the science and technologydepartments of Imperial College, building support for his idea of a centre on energy

policy and technology - and I often went with him. He was passionately convinced

that here were people developing techniques and technologies that could make a realdifference to peoples lives. The bridegs that he built with other departments andcolleagues in them were a model of interdisciplinary collaboration. They havesurvived and blossomed to this day. He did this by his rare combination ofintelligence, technical knowledge, passion, humour and modesty.

A fine man: you will all be familiar with Denniss wonderful optimism aboutpossibilities for the future and also about people. His capacity to admire others wasremarkable. Dennis would return from a meeting with someone inside or outside theCollege and amble into my office and say Ive just been talking with X. You knowPeter, hes a fine man. I have to say that being more of a sceptic at heart, I used

occasionally to think that Denniss sunny assessments were on the optimistic side butit was a lovely characteristic to think the best of others.

A battler: Dennis was a battler I think he actually liked a battle. And occasionally,of course, his optimism about others would be dashed. Hed steam into the office andsay Peter, were being shafted the buggers are doing whatever it was theywere doing. And of course, the world being what it is and modern universities beingwhat they are, he was often right.

Over the top: Occasionally, though, and with my being a cautious namby-pambydiplomat, Id think he might be going a little over the top and would try to restrain hisurge to go straight into battle, sometimes without pausing to pick up his armour. Hedstomp off to draft an impassioned email, which being an ultimately reasonable man,he would then run past the rest of us for a slightly more objective view. He wasalways reasonable in the end, indeed sometimes rather contrite for the passion withwhich hed joined the lists but you couldnt have Dennis without that passion and inthe end, the optimism would always break though again and, except with the trulymalevolent or negative, peace would be restored.

Postgraduate students: often a postgraduate would come and say that they wanted todo some model building and ask who they should talk to? And Id say. Go and have

a word with Dennis. And a few days later Id see them and ask how it was all going.And the reply would be, Oh, well. Professor Anderson was really helpful and so Imgoing to do this next... And Id see them maybe a week later and ask again, andtheyd say with enthusiasm, Well, Dennis and I are building this model His doorwas open, he was engaged and he was more interested in the significance and qualityof the ideas than inthe status of his collaborators. Enough said.

What does all this add up to? The judgement that Dennis so generously applied toothers is perhaps most fitting for him: a fine man.


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David Hendry

My own happy contact with Dennis dates back to early October 1966, when we wereboth starting MSc students in econometrics at the LSE. We chanced to meet exitingfrom the first lecture by Jim Durbin, which had left me floundering. Fortunately,

remarking such to Dennis, he was immensely reassuring, and we soon formed amutual support team. My memory of the event actually differs from what Denniswrote in my Festschrift book: I recall asking him `what is a likelihood? and thoughthe replied`youre in trouble. However, Dennis recalls replying `you will soon getthatwhich is more plausible given his good nature and positive attitude.

Either way, Dennis helped me with my missing statistical technique, and I returnedhelp on some of the more esoteric economic analyses and empirical models. Thisworked well for us both, as we successfully passed the rather daunting final exams,where another Denis (that is Denis Sargan) had set a couple of unsolved problems asquestions for us to tackle!

We remained in close contact during his time in London in the late 1960s, partlysocial, partly intellectual, meeting for meals, and Hogmanay, where Dennis becamean expert `first foot: being tall, dark and handsome, he was sent outside beforemidnight with a bottle of whisky to come in just after for good luck. We also met to

play high-powered monopoly. That needs a brief explanation, as it is the perfectmodel for the current sub-prime-mortgage led credit crisis, by allowing direct loantransactions between participants, using property as collateral. Inevitably, when the

borrower went under, all too often so did the lender.

After Dennis went to the World Bank, our meetings were sporadic, but weoccasionally discussed his research in energy economics, work that Ralph Turvey hasreferred to, and which led to their important and well-cited book on Electricity

Economics. In the early 1980s, Dennis turned to analyzing industry in developingcountries, which morphed into environmental issues, especially by the mid 1980s, atopic where I found his views totally persuasive.

We then lost close touch for a period. However, another chance encounter occurredwhen I had been flown over to the 1984 Wharton Economics meeting to explain mycritical findings on the money demand models espoused by Milton Friedman andAnna Schwartz. Wharton had kindly funded my only Concorde trip over, with first

class back, and we happened to be seated beside each other on the transatlantic returntrip. Dennis was then investigating afforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa, which wediscussed all night, well refreshed by champagne, but I fear to the chagrin of othertravelers. From that point on, we had more frequent meetings, including when Ivisited the IMF or Fed in Washington.

Once Dennis returned permanently to the UK, we were fortunate to be closeneighbours and could interact and discuss a wide range of topics, especially over a

bottle of good wine or two. Indeed, we were even their landlords for 1989-90 whenthey rented our house while we visited UCSD. I can vouch for Marsaleete, Dennis,Lucy and Margaret being excellent tenants!


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New renewable energy technologies became his forte throughout the 1990s, and weshared a common interest in the closely related issue of climate change, especially inthis century, and discussed the last topic on numerous occasions over the past decade.

Nick Stern has eloquently referred to Denniss work thereon. My input concerned themore technical issues of dynamic simulation of quantitative models, and what could

be validly inferred from such findings. Dennis's concerns have been one of thereasons for my own recent research into what climate change may entail and what can

be done, given his important conclusionwhich drew on much of his earlier researchthat developing countries would benefit from addressing their environmental

problems at a much earlier phase of development than industrial countries had done.Afforestation and preventing further deforestation world wide both have roles to playas carbon sinks, since even 10% sequestration would help compared to the scale ofour current polluting.

Dennis was the epitome of an English gentleman--deeply committed, scholarly andknowledgeable, modest to a fault, kind and generous. He was thoughtful about friends

and family, and always determined to help, whether it be on a small scale or a grandsuch as his dedicated work on climate change, its consequences and the possiblemitigation of the worst effects by new technologies. The award of an OBE to Dennisearlier this year, partly for his valuable contributions to the Stern Report on ClimateChange, was much deserved.

Everyone who knew Dennis regarded him as a very special person. We will all greatlymiss his intellect, his kindness and his companionship, but his many researchcontributions will influence the future for years to come.


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Demetrios Papathanasiou

I would like to talk about Dennis since the time I was his PhD student. I will also takethe opportunity to convey a few words provided by my colleagues at the World Bank,

who knew Dennis well.

Let me start with what Kulsum Ahmeda Lead Environmental Specialist in theBank and an Imperial College alumna has written about Dennis. In the earlynineties, she worked with Dennis on a ground-breaking paper on the value of solarenergy.

For me personally, a real source of inspiration was Dennis's talent for economics

combined with his humble approach to life. I am extremely grateful that I had achance to work with him and learn from him during my first two years in the World

Bank. Dennis was such a NICE person, in the best sense of that word, and awonderful friend and mentor of young people. This standard of professionalism and

humanity is one to which we all aspire.

I started working on my PhD with Dennis about ten years ago. The world was thendrowning in oil. The reference price we were using for the costs of fossil fuels wasabout $12-18 a barrel of crude oil. Ten years later today, ten times as a expensive.

However, for most young people like me at that time it wasnt the price of oil, butenvironmental issues and concerns that mattered. Dennis had already been studyingand researching climate change issues for a while and was looking for some help with

his research. I had just received a scholarship from the Greek government. And so itstarted.

Dennis and I wanted to research policies through which the world could addressclimate change. But, there was a problem. Or rather, there were a series of problems:we did not know {and we still dont know} what the costs of an increase in averageglobal temperature would mean. For that matter no one knew how much that increasewould be. We also didnt know the costs of effectively dealing with the underlyingcauses of climate change mainly fossil fuels use for energy. In addition, and eventoday, there were endless arguments about the appropriate rate of return that should beused when confronted with cost and benefits analyses across generations and even

more controversially across geographies and varying levels of economic development.

So, my PhD project was faced with great uncertainties: the risks of potentiallyextreme events due to climate change; the devastating costs of threshold effects; the

prospects of terribly wasteful investments in alternative energy technologies thatcould mitigate CO2 emissions. Not the most comfortable position from where to startmy PhD research certainly not easy to see the prospects of finishing it!

But, Dennis had a core idea. He believed in the power of progress and was confidentin the ability of human spirit to innovate and present technological solutions tootherwise insurmountable problems. He would argue that alternative energy

technologies that appeared to lose in any straightforward comparison could and would


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become cheaper. On the other hand, I would still look at oil at $12 dollars andwondered if there was any sense in all that.

I still remember how Dennis convinced me. He gave me the example of how much itwould cost to enjoy music in the 18 th century. Only the very few and fabulously rich

could then afford to provide food and shelter to musicians, so that they could listen tomusic at their leisure, whenever they pleased. The costs for the rest of the world weretoo prohibitive. But, look at it today: we can listen to the most beautiful recordings,from the most capable musicians, the most famous composers, at a trivial cost. Thisstrange example, focusing on the enjoyment of music persuaded me. Dennis had

presented the perfect example for a student the costs of enjoying music and how theyhave come down over time.

Still, the more I would research the literature, the higher the risks and uncertaintieswould appear. Denniss response to the frustrations of a novice PhD student,confronted with too many unknowns creeping on every aspect of my studies, would

be: lets think about it. I remember so fondly the time we would spend at his smalloffice at Princes Gardens trying to formulate mathematically our uncertainties, theinherent costs of risky policies, the issues we didnt know about and it wasfantastic. Dennis was a stimulating, fascinating, thinker. He would listen patiently,contribute his wealth of knowledge and clarity of thinking, and never intimidate, ordiscourage. Dennis would inspire me to work, review formulas, build computermodels and when I would be blocked with the insecurity and uncertainty about thecorrectness of the approach, in his mild, patient and generous manner he wouldencourage me. He made the whole process exciting, enjoyable, fun.

After building my model, running simulations in the computer with oil slowly risingto the 20s and considering the potential rapid improvement in the costs of energytechnologies, I had Monte Carlo analysis results. My analysis would demonstrate thevalue of investing in alternatives even at a higher initial incremental cost.

I rushed to Dennis excited with the preliminary outputs of the simulations; theprobabilistic curves indicated a concrete value for nurturing and cultivatingalternatives. I thought we now had solid strength in our viewpoint for policies tosupport renewable energy technologies. Dennis, however, would again surprise me and teach me another lesson. He would ask: why is this so? . There I was, with theevidence of tens of thousands of computer runs validating the arguments we have

jointly been thinking and discussing for all that time, having to go back and criticallylook at our views, our work, to identify its limits and constraints. It was a brilliantlesson in intellectual honesty.

My experience studying for my PhD with Dennis has been a spending one. And I wasnot the only one. All of my research colleagues at Imperial at the time were fond ofDennis and appreciated his knowledge, his warm and generous attitude to youngresearchers.

He once told me that the best satisfaction in the life of an economist is to see onesideas becoming accepted. I think his perseverance and hard work on these issues

were rewarded and I was so pleased to see him involved in the influential SternReview on the Economics of Climate Change.


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Now, ten years later after the time I started working on that PhD thesis, the keyconcepts Dennis has been advocating for almost two decades about how the worldshould respond to environmental challenges and climate change are becoming inmany places have already becomeThe Common Wisdom. The Carbon Trust in

the UK, the Climate Investment Fund, the Clean Technology Fund are here. Hedgeand Venture funds from the private sector are entering the game, funding the

prospects of alternative energy futures. Dennis would be so happy.

Let me now turn to what Chas Feinstein now a Manager for Energy in the WorldBankwrote to me about Dennis.

All would of course remember Dennis as the consummate gentleman: Courtly,polite and respectful, almost to a fault. Indeed, as a young person starting out in a

career as an energy economist, this was one of Dennis' most lovable characteristics:A kindness and correctness that motivated him to share his time and wealth of

knowledge with all who sought it, no matter what their station.

But I learned of another side of Dennis that, in time, I learned to love and respect asmuch as his gentlemanly manner, and that was a righteousness when, pushed to its

limits, would turn to indignation and anger. This would be manifested when Denniswould be confronted by the morally weak, the manipulative and the intellectually

dishonest. Then the "deserving" individual would be subjected to a wrath and a furyand a string of invective that would singe this young American's ears. There were a

lot of references to "trash" and "rubbish," and some of the words sounded almostforeign, but the underlying meaning was clear, and with a mixture of concern and

mirth one would look around the room to ensure that no children were present.

Later, I realized that in this rare but unmistakable outrage Dennis was exercising avaluable form of moral leadership. Relatively late in his career, but still early in time

in comparison to many others, Dennis became deeply concerned about the threat thatglobal warming represented for the welfare of future generations. Now, looking back,

I wish that more of us had that same kind of moral clarity and vision culminating in aproper sort of outrage. We've lost a lot of time, and at moments like this one realizes

the preciousness of life and the fleetingness and fragility of human existence.

When I went to the International Finance Corporation and then the World Bank in

Washington, Dennis and I stayed in touch. He would visit DC every now and thenand it was such an immense pleasure to see him, visiting the World Banks offices,dressed informally, with a relaxed smile in his face Whenever we walked by ameeting room he would turn he would smirk and say: I couldnt stand these longmeetings when I was in the Bank.

But, one particular day, about a couple of years after I officially joined the Bank (at atime when one feels that eagerness to work hard and do good, is at risk of giving wayto the beginnings of cynicism and fatalism), we stepped outside for lunch. We walkedout of my office towards the Main Complex a magnificent glass and steel buildingwhere the Headquarters of the World Bank are. Right in front of that Main building

theres a small park. Some grass, a few trees, benches. And in that park quite often,but especially on that day, you could see homeless people --in shabby clothes they sat


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at those benches in front of the Bank (the institution whose dream is a world free ofpoverty).

One particular homeless man was also in that park sitting on the grass next to an oldsupermarket trolley, in which he was carrying things that he collected from the streets

of DC. Somehow, as we were walking towards the building, his trolley started slidingand stopped almost at the middle of the pavement. We would continue approaching. Icould see a lot of Bank staff in their ties and suits --I was also in my tie and suit--avoiding the trolley; the homeless man would watch, people would swerve to by-passthe trolley.

Dennis and I would walk towards the scene: the busy time of lunch break with thattrolley in the middle of the pavement, office people moving around it, the homelessman lying on the grass looking, most of the passers-by avoiding the trolley --and thestare of the man on the grass. Overall, an awkward scene. Washingtons thick andhumid atmosphere of the summer adding heaviness, a sense of slow-motion, in the

whole setting.

When Dennis and I got there, Dennis turned. He simply took the trolley, pushed itgently back towards the homeless man, stabilized it by the sidewalk and smiled gentlyto the man on the grass. And that was it. He didnt comment on it, he just did it.

And to me that was another lesson in how Dennis was profoundly compassionate,how he appreciated human beings, how he had a deep, loving, and caring nature,culminating in simple but often powerful-- acts of humanity.

This is what I miss most. Denniss fascinating intellect, his relaxed and generousapproach towards his colleagues and students, his natural sense of kindness andhumanity.

I miss him so very much already. But, I am so grateful I learned from him.


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Nick Stern

I speak today on behalf of my big brother, who introduced me to Dennis in the WorldBank around 25 years ago. Richard was Denniss boss, if that is not an oxymoron for

someone with the magnificent free spirit of Dennis. Let me start with some briefwords Richard wrote for the occasion. Richard and Dennis were similar in manyways, including in their amused incomprehension of the combination of the behaviourand incompetence of the British upper class.

He told me many times how he was so lucky to have met Marsaleete and how proud he was of the girls and how he nearly missed out on having family(having got married late in life) and that he would never have known the joythat they gave him.

He was a really humble guy knew a lot about economics and energy but

would only give it if asked.

Was great in a crisis - would just knuckle down and do the work that wasneeded and not slough it off on others

Was humble but when aroused (by sloppy thinking - coupledwith dogmatic behavior and arrogance by others) could (not very often and onlywhen provoked) get pretty stroppy and be quite willing to (and enjoy) getting ina punch-up - he would always come into my office right after sending(sometimes abusive) Emails to those individuals, pointing out their neanderthalthinking - with a smirk on his face and to warn me that I might have to defend

him when the Pavlovian reaction came. Needless to say I got as muchenjoyment in defending him as he did in sending those Emails!

This is the bit of the email I decided to edit. Dennis shared the Stern brothersdisgraceful sense of humour, or we shared his. We cannot repeat the source of thehysterical laughter on the occasion when Richard first introduced me to Dennis,

probably around 25 years ago, but we thought it was indeed very funny. We can saythat a shared understanding of what is really funny is the foundation of all solidintellectual partnerships.

Above all he was a great friend and colleague - whenever I needed guidance or

just did not understand an issue I just walked into Dennis's office and got it. Nopretence, no grandstanding, no hidden agendas just honest talk.

Whilst I had met Denis around 25 years ago (with Richard) we knew each otherwell only during the work of the Stern Review. We met again in January 2006when I gave a lecture at Oxford, setting out our initial ideas (in fact Siobhan Peters,who is here today and who led the Stern team, and I worked very closely on thislecture and she met Dennis at the same time). Dennis and I started talking throughsome of the issues and for the next nine months until publication we worked veryclosely together and he joined the team. As ever, Dennis always gave much and

asked for little: I think all we covered was a few cheap-day returns from Oxford.


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After publication we continued in constant touch and I was always consulting himon difficult questions.

He was a real intellectual leader but he also had all the personal characteristics of agreat friend and colleague. He was wise and knowledgeable. He saw the big

picture and the details; he was strategic, practical and theoretical. And, such a raretalent, he could explain.

The young on the Stern team looked up to him, admired him, and loved him.Simon Dietz, who is here today, for example, and Chris Taylor, who worked soclosely with him and stayed in close touch with him. He had a special talent forworking with young people and I can see why he must have been such a gooddoctoral supervisor. And, much appreciated by young and not-so-young, healways knew when it was time for a beer.

For me personally he was an absolutely crucial colleague, friend and teacher.

Much of the work of the Stern team was the real fun of joint intellectual enquiry,like the camaraderie of a research laboratory working on something important. Butit was not all like that. We were in the political world and stuck our heads abovethe parapet. There could be hostility, aggression and special interests. In thesecircumstances you need people with fine minds, clear heads and strong backs. Youneed people with judgement, friendship and collegiality. In other words you needDennis, and I was enormously grateful he was with us. He was so sensible and sosteadfast in leading the charge for serious analysis and sound policy on an issue heknew to be of fundamental importance.

We were all delighted when he got the OBE. It was richly deserved, if belated. Inthe Civil Service, it is often, and often with accuracy, described as Other BuggersEfforts. As ever, Dennis was different he gave in huge measure; our deficit wasto him. Dennis was always giving to others and always doing his best to changethe world. He was special. There should, and perhaps will, be singing on theterraces of Sheffield United, in the language of the sport he loved, There was onlyone Dennis Anderson.


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Marsaleete Anderson

I would first like to express our thanks to Peter, Rob & Ruth who have so thoughtfullyorganized this afternoons gathering, to Ralph, David, Will, Demetrios, Nick, and

Peter, who have spoken so eloquently about Dennis, and to all of you who have cometoday. Lucy, Margaret and I are so very touched by your memories of Dennis and findit is a great solace to be able to hear, as well as talk, about him.

It is very fitting that this memorial should be held at Imperial, as the College played apivotal role in Dennis life on two occasionsfirst, quite early, when he was admittedto study for a Diploma, and the second occasion, as you know, late in his career, afterDennis retired (his first of 3 retirements) from the World Bank. It was always clear tome that his warm feelings for Imperial go back to that first occasion.

Dennis had a fulfilling tenure at the World Bank, he made many close friends, and hetruly enjoyed the challenges and the work immensely. However, it was time to seek anew intellectual home, and once again he found it at Imperial, officially starting daysafter his 60th birthday. It was a fruitful and very happy period for Dennis. Hedelighted in his colleagues, both here and on the Stern team, and also in the widerenergy and environment community. His students also inspired him and gave himgreat hope for the future. He enjoyed the challenge, the camaraderie, the banter aswell as the serious debate, the chance to continue to work on issues that he truly caredabout, as well as the chance to make a contribution closer to home.

Dennis felt so very fortunate in his colleagues, his students, his friends, through the

years. As I read down the list of who was attending today I just felt overwhelmed.He admired and enjoyed working with all of you so much, and I know withoutquestion that he would want me to tell you so. There is also much comfort for us inthe thought of the great satisfaction and pleasure Dennis found in his career, as well aswhat a wonderful final decade he enjoyed.

Throughout these working years, Dennis also retained a great affection for hisYorkshire roots. He respected hard work of every kind, and felt he had been fortunatein life with the opportunities he was given. He especially felt great love and gratitudeto his older brothers and their wives who comforted him when he lost his mother at anearly age, and also encouraged him to study.

For Lucy, Margaret, and me, it is especially nice to hear more about Dennis workinglife from the friends who shared it with him. Regrettably, we never sat in on one ofhis talks or seminars as he was not comfortable with that. We did, however, talk abouthis work, and had a good idea of where he stood on the environmental and energyissues of the day. In fact, we knew just where Dennis stood on most things; he hadviews, and he wasnt shy about sharing them, although he was always willing to listento our views, and agree to disagree, if necessary.

We admire what Dennis accomplished, but we are most proud of how he did itthough hard work, through collaboration and respect for others, through optimism

combined with determination, and with backbone and integrity. But it was for otherthings that we most remember him.


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One friend wrote to Dennis, Some people will remember you for your academicachievements; I will remember your roast potatoes. (Im surprised Dennis didntremarkbut what about the gravy and Yorkshire pudding!) Still, I know that nothingcould have pleased him more.

As he worked to perfect his Sunday dinner, he was also in search of the perfect gravypotsomething of significant volume, a good pourer, well insulated or with a lid, tokeep the gravy piping hot, and not too shocking or gauche to grace the dining table.He eventually commissioned a friend, no less than a Vice-President at the WorldBank, and an amateur potter, to make one. They consulted at great length over theexact specifications, until it was finally delivered with great ceremony and it lookedlikea teapot! (And you probably thought he spent all his time thinking about energy

policy.) Teasing aside, Dennis Sunday dinners were memorable, the highlight of ourweek, when we all gathered for a delicious meal, good wine, and interesting, often

jolly, conversationall so enjoyed by Dennis. He was a wonderful host, and an

equally appreciative guest.

Im afraid it sounds like a platitude (and how Dennis disliked those), but he really wasa devoted father who always made time for his daughters. He supported andencouraged them in things that he thought were important, such as maths, currentaffairs, and proper table manners, and also in things that were important to them, suchas dance, art, and trips to Legoland. It cant have been easy living in a household that,except for him, was exclusively female (including the cats). But he generally took theteasing, and our bossing, with good grace and a wonderful sense of humour.

When Dennis turned 60, a cheeky nephew called and asked Dennis what he was goingto do nextbecome a lollipop man? When he told that story on Radio Sheffield acouple years later, the interviewer told the listeners that actually, Dennis rather lookedlike a lollipop man. He could also at times seems very set in his ways. He watchedFred Astaire movies countless times, and wore a certain type of jumper so exclusivelythat I despaired of ever getting him into anything else, even after it was admired by adrunk at Paddington Station. We returned time and again to hear the classical banjoist,and the jazz pianist, we first listened to in our early days together. But he was never ina rut with life.

He was constantly refreshing himself, and often sprang a surprise or two. He was

forward thinking, saw opportunities, and embraced challenges and change, bothpersonally and professionally. To tell Dennis that something wasnt possible was likewaving a red flag in front of a bull. And he still had plans and ideas for the future. Itstruck me, as I read through the tributes in the lovely booklet that has been sothoughtfully prepared, that there was no inconsistency between Dennis, the

professional man, and Dennis, the family man and friend.

Ultimately, life with Dennis was very much about sharing the joys and pleasures oflife, both large and small. Whether it was a good book, a joke, a nice meal or bottle ofwine (or more likely, both!), a walk or an idea, Dennis wanted to include others in theexperience. We became engaged by telephone just after he had moved to Oxford for a

sabbatical. He rang me in Washington to say it was just too nice an experience not toshare it with me.


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One Thanksgiving he built a small stone wall during the long weekend. We hadfamily visiting, and he made sure that everyone, from the very youngest to the oldest,had a hand in laying at least a few stones, and thus played a part in creating the wall.To me, that is a metaphor for Dennis and how he lived both his personal and

professional life. Through his enthusiasm, love, and generous spirit, Lucy, Margaretand I not only have wonderful memories, but still enjoy many of the experiences and

pursue interests to which he first introduced us. In these ways he is still with us and,indeed, will always be part of who we are.


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Memories of Dennis

DA was a gentleman

I had the good fortune of being supervised by Prof. Dennis Anderson when I was aPhD researcher at IC London from 2002 to 2005. This unique privilege gave meopportunities to learn about renewable energy planning and optimization of hydrothermal generating systems. Besides his excellent technical skills and worldwiderecognized expertise DA was a gentleman, always smiling and always encouragingme in what were sometimes very difficult occasions. His support and attitude not onlychanged my life in London, improving it, but inspired me to be a better professional, a

better student and in some ways a better person.

The time I spent with Prof. Dennis Anderson in our frequent meetings wasunforgettable. After my viva we met for dinner at the Reform Club in central London.

I never imagined then that that would be my last meeting with him. With theunfortunate event of his passing, the world has lost one of the most outstandingscientists of our time, an intellectual of high calibre and a fine human being.I am sure Prof. Dennis Anderson will always be alive in his friends thoughts. He willmost certainly be in mine.

Givanildo AlmeidaPhD researcher at Imperial College from 2002 to 2005

His morning greeting and lovely smileDennis, Marsaleete, Margaret and Lucy lived next to us in Park Town for severalyears and we couldn't have had nicer neighbours. No economist myself, I have fondmemories of setting off to work on my bike at the same time as Dennis was setting offon his. He got going faster than I did, but his morning greeting and lovely smile as he

pedalled away provided an encouraging beginning to the day.

Judith Atkinson

Such an affirmative attitude to lifeI had heard of Dennis's reputation for radical thinking on energy economics andengineering when he was at the World Bank, but only got to know him in our worktogether in the Tyndall Phase 1 Etech+ project, when he was at Imperial and laterworking for Defra and BERR.

He was so enthusiastic and clear about the value of understanding how technologicalchange could sweep through an activity, so that the effects were very different fromwhat you might expect if you were trained as an equilibrium economist. He was sucha good colleague to work with and so engaging as a friend when we met atconferences of meetings. He had such an affirmative attitude to life, although he was


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also very clear about those whom he felt to be obstructive and unhelpful in pursuingthe common good. We shall miss him, but treasure his warmth and the twinkle in hiseye.

Dr Terry Barker

Colleague and co-author with him on a paper on modelling inducedtechnological change in the global energy system

He was enormously supportiveMy recollections of Dennis go back over a very long period when he was enormouslysupportive both initially with the Centre for Environmental Technology andsubsequently when the Centre was combined into the Huxley School. Dennis

provided both enormous intellectual rigor and was constantly willing to help out at allsorts of levels. I was delighted that in his latter period he was able to get involved inthe Stern Report, where the excitement stimulated him to provide a terrificcontribution.

Professor John Beddington

Imperial College/Government Office for Science

Dennis was a true gentleman

I have known Dennis since he joined Imperial College. He could not have been amore wonderful colleague-helpful, intellectually stimulating and always kind and

considerate. His expertise contributed enormously to the success of both Centres andhe was always available to give advice to students and share his knowledge. Denniswas a true gentleman and I miss him more than I can say.

Professor Nigel Bell

Director of MSc in Environmental Technology, Imperial College.

A memorable evening in BeijingI met Dennis for the first time shortly after I joined Imperial College as a member ofstaff in the summer of 1998. I had just joined from industry, and the meeting will

always stick in mind. Firstly for the generous time and discussion given by a seniorProfessor to a recently arrived staff member, and secondly for the lovely pot of teathat Dennis provided, complete with tea cosy.

I continued to enjoy many enjoyable discussions with Dennis thereafter, including amemorable evening in Beijing not long after the publication of the Stern report, whenDennis was on what appeared to be a world tour. Despite giving away a number ofyears to the accompanying and enthusiastic staff from various UK GovernmentDepartments, Dennis led the discussion across the entire evening.


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I enjoyed my interactions with Dennis over a period of close to ten years. He wasalways so positive and generous about the value of the technical work we were doing,and I will miss him greatly.

Professor Nigel Brandon

Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College.

That inspirational day in 2005After doing the MSc in 2002/03 specialising in Energy Policy, I started working inManchester as a consultant. In 2005, Dennis came to give a talk at the University ofManchester, which I only heard about by accident. I decided to attend his talk.Incisive and inspiring as his lectures were, I was really happy to have attended. I cameto say hello afterwards and he remembered having seen me around Imperial. I wentout of the building full of enthusiasm and "feeling a strong and special calling" to go

back and do more research and contribute more to the sustainable energy policydebate.

I thought I was a bit old to start a PhD and I always thought that if I ever did one Iwould go back to Imperial. I applied for a research position with Matthew Leach and

by December 2005 I had started working as a Research Associate with the view tocomplete a PhD and carry on with the work. To this day, I am working on giving afull answer to two questions that Dennis raised during my first departmental seminar,which will be incorporated into the PhD thesis. I will always be thankful for thatinspirational day in 2005.

Arturo Castillo-CastilloAlumnus Msc in Environmental Technology Energy Policy Option 2002/03,Research Associate at Centre for Environmental Policy (2005 to date)

Modest and generous with his timeI remember Dennis being incredibly modest and generous with his time. He wasalways so careful to acknowledge people who had contributed to his work and to helpothers. Although I wasnt his student he always asked how I was doing when hesaw me. I really appreciated the time he took to listen my reply and discuss what Icould do to build on whatever progress I had (or hadnt) made since Id last seen him.

Hannah ChalmersStudent at Imperial College, 2002-2008

We needed expert input urgentlyAs the Carbon Trust was launched in 2001, we sought to understand what a lowcarbon economy might look like so that we could develop our plans to accelerate themove towards it. We needed expert input urgently for scenarios that we weredeveloping and a contact suggested that Dennis might be able to help - dont be putoff by the idea that academics only work in 3 year cycles. I was a little sceptical butcalled Dennis who was simply charming, brilliant and helpful the following


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Monday, four graduate researchers turned up in our offices where they stayed for acouple of months until the job was done.

Tom Delay

Chief Executive, The Carbon Trust

I met Dennis in 2001 (as above) and our paths crossed many times through to 2007

A passionate commitment to fairnessDennis was the perfect colleague who, almost inevitably, became a friend.Gentlemanly and soft-spoken, his mind penetrated always constructively toweaknesses in argument or evidence, and he normally knew how to improve them. Hewas a first-rate economist with a passionate commitment to fairness and improvingthe lot of the least well off; someone who recognised the challenge of climate change

but who also believed in the creativity and innovative capacity of humans to rise to it,a realist by training but an optimist by nature. In short, one of the most stimulating ofmen to work with, who will be sorely missed.

Professor Paul Ekins

I worked with Dennis from 2002-4 on a project funded by the Tyndall Centre.

The last gentleman economistDennis was truly the last gentleman economist. His patience and civility in thesedifficult times will be surely missed

Professor David Fisk Imperial College: I met Dennis first when I joined Imperial in 2002 and hesubsequently gave a very popular lecture on my course. We had many a debate over

lunch how to sort out the energy mess.

His concern shone throughI first met Dennis when he was a leading member of the ICEPT team working on a

project feeding into development of the 2003 Energy White Paper - work which wasvery significant in contributing to the UK adopting a commitment to a 60% reductionin carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Dennis was a pleasure to work with -

unfailingly helpful and courteous, and with a huge personal knowledge andexperience to feed in. He made time available to help others - his concern for his teammembers, students and others always shone through. I will always deeply appreciatehis input and friendship.

Adrian GaultTransport Analysis and Review, Department for Transport. I met Dennis when I led

the analytical work programme for the then DTI for the 2003 Energy White Paper; subsequently keeping in touch as friends and as members of the Advisory Board for

the TPA programme of the UKERC.


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Working late into the evening, an exciting time for me and for UK

energy policyI worked with Dennis for ten wonderful years. His impact on my career cannot beunderstated. My first academic paper was published with Dennis, we collaborated onacademic reports and papers, reports for government departments and industry, even,

memorably, for Tony Blair's private office. Finally Dennis became Senior Advisor forthe UK Energy Research Centre's Technology and Policy Assessment functionmanaged by me, as recently as last December Dennis was actively engaged with thiswork. However the period from around 2000 to 2004 is particularly memorable. Oftenworking late into the evening emailing drafts back and forth this was an exciting timefor me and indeed in the development of UK energy policy, which was undergoing atransition from almost unbridled faith in market liberalisation to increasingrecognition of the scale of the changes required to address climate change. Dennis

played a key role in this process, which culminated in his input into the Stern Review.Dennis had a unique combination of technological know how and economic and

policy insight. His approach to technology policy is without doubt going to prove tobe central to the development of a low carbon economy. He was also the mostsupportive 'mentor' it is possible to have had, a true friend in every sense of the word,an accomplished drinking partner and one of the finest people I have ever had the

pleasure to meet.

Dr Robert Gross Lecturer Imperial College, Head of Technology and Policy Assessment UKERC,

Former Research Assistant, PhD student and friend 1998 - 2008

A very rare person. Always ready to listen

Dennis was a very rare person - genuinely passionate about energy, environment andimproving the lot of people, able to interact at the highest levels while remainingaccessible to those who hadn't yet made it - especially students and young researchers.He was always ready to listen to people and didn't pass judgement based on their ageor background. He was particularly fascinated by new ideas and technology, whilefitting them into a context where they might be used practically.Dennis was particularly supportive of his students and mentees, and of the groups inwhich he was engaged and helped develop. And the fact that occasionally he was notaverse to a pint and to using a few wry swearwords contrasted wonderfully with hisexceptional gentleness and courteous nature. He made a tremendous impression onme and I remember him with great fondness.

Dr David HartSenior Research Fellow, Imperial College: I originally met Dennis when he spoke at

Imperial while still at the World Bank, and showed interest in my fuel cell andhydrogen research. I subsequently worked closely with Dennis from the time he joined

Imperial - as he and we developed ICEPT and all around it. A very exciting timewhen we fed off each others' enthusiasm and derived much intellectual stimulation

from discussions in work...and occasionally in the bar...


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Dennis was something of a hero of mineAround the time I made the transition from environmental campaigner to solarentrepreneur in the last 1990s, I was urged - while on a sabbatical year at Oxford - toseek Dennis's counsel. I did so, and Dennis was incredibly kind, helpful, andencouraging. He went out of his way to give me a boost where he had no need to. As

result of his help and advice, and that of only a few others, I was able to navigate verychoppy early waters. Dennis and I stayed in touch from time to time over the yearsafter I finished my sabbatical year. I followed the progress of his own pioneeringwork in the national energy strategy consultation and its follow up with admiration.Dennis was something of a hero of mine, and I am so very sorry he is no longer withus in person. He most certainly remains with us in spirit, and I know many people likeme in the energy field will be striving hard to make his energy vision a reality, guided

by his spirit.

Dr Jeremy LeggettExecutive Chairman, Solar Century

His door was open to meI only had three meetings with Dennis in his room to discuss what I should do for myThesis topics but he made a lasting impression on me. He was not my Thesissupervisor but he said his door was open to me. He was so approachable andengaging. The way he thought was always to question and he came up with severaltopics that I had not even thought of such as investigating transport emissions inPakistan. His enthusiasm was infectious and I carried that with me throughout myThesis. My impression may not be the same as others but Dennis appeared to be

adamant that you had clarity of thought of what you were trying to investigate on theemissions front rather than getting bogged down on questionable policy frameworks.

Seleha LockwoodDennis provided advice when I was trying to determine what to do for my MSc Thesis

at Imperial

Yorkshire rootsI am a 'Yorkshire lass', Halifax born and bred. Dennis was a Yorkshire lad, whohailed from the Sheffield area. He often used to tell me about a brilliant cycling trip

he undertook as a young man, from Sheffield via Halifax and how much he loved mytown, especially the Piece Hall. All I can say is that he must have been in 'fine fettle'as the Yorkshire hills are certainly a challenge! We shared fond stories of Yorkshireand recipes for Yorkshire Parkin! Dennis was the ultimate gentleman and I think thiswas testimony to his good, old-fashioned Yorkshire roots!

Karen E. Makuch (nee MacDonald)

Colleague at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial college


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A rare combinationA rare combination of warmth and intelligent forward-thinking, Dennis will be sorelymissed.

Nicola Thomas

MSc Environmental Technology student 2003-04; Dennis gave only a few lecturesduring my year, but made a lasting impression.

A sense of graciousnessI had the privilege of working with Dennis primarily as a member of the GEFScientific and Technical Advisory Panel and thereafter as a source of expertise onrenewable energy and development. I also was hosted by him for dinner at his

personal club while in London. Dennis represented an extraordinary combination ofqualities rarely found alone much less in one person -- a passion for development (henever lost sight of the real objective, no matter how technical the analysis); a veryhigh level mastery of the economics and technologies involved in clean energy;communication skills in both writing and speaking; diplomacy in working with otherswith whom he disagreed; and a sense of graciousness that today might be termed "oldschool".

Alan Miller

Former Team Leader for Climate Change at the GEF Secretariat and now aPrincipal Project Officer in the Climate Change Unit in the IFC

A huge loss to the research communityI was very saddened to hear the news earlier this year that Dennis had died. This is ahuge loss to the research community as a whole but especially to those of us whoknew him personally and/or worked closely with him professionally. I admit I oftencalled Dennis not only for general consultations, but especially when I had tricky

problems that I knew his special insight into many issues could help me resolve. Healways came up trumps proving to be exceedingly helpful and generous with histime. He will be greatly missed.

Prof. Dr. Nebojsa NakicenovicVienna University of Technology, Project Leader at the International Institute for

Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and IPCC lead author

An extraordinary contribution to the Stern ReviewDennis made an extraordinary contribution to the Stern Review, bringing his immensetechnical expertise of course, and so much more ... I will not forget the enthusiasm,wisdom, patience and loyalty that Dennis brought to our team. It was wonderful towork with him, and to know that he enjoyed working with us.

Siobhan Peters


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Head of the Stern Review Team 2005-2007

Genuinely interested in younger researchersDennis was above all a truly nice man. He always had a smile on his face, bringing an

element of tranquillity and calm to whatever room he entered. Even though Dennishad a highly prestigious career, what marks him out from many other people, is thathe always put people at ease and was extremely generous with his time. He was in noway pretentious, snobby or boastful - but was genuinely interested in youngerresearchers work and helping them develop, offering invaluable advice and support toso many. Like so many others I will remember him with deep respect and admiration.

Ray PurdyFormer researcher at Imperial College

An example to followProfessor Anderson may leave us, but Dennis bricks and mortar, and his punch and'energy' for building a better world, will always remain. I will remember and alwaysadmire his amazing knowledge on development economics, energy and theenvironment, gained from years of experience and hard work, but also his endeavourand ingenuity, his simplicity and good sense of humour, all which will remain as anexample to follow through my whole career and personal life.

I was extremely fortunate to have met Dennis during a key moment in my student life,

nearly 12 years ago. I also feel very lucky to have had the chance to share, for a briefperiod of time, a small and cold office with him at the Royal School of Mines, and tohave him as co-supervisor in my doctoral studies. During my passage at Imperial, he

proved me always interested, and above all of an exceptional availability, permanently keen on discussing, challenging and making me move forward on mycolourful models and hesitant drafts.

Dennis, muchas, muchas gracias por todo!

Dr Pablo Queriat

Former Imperial PhD student (1996-2000).

A quiet revolutionaryI worked with Dennis on the World Bank's World Development in 1992 on the themeof environment and development. His office was next door to mine and everymorning Dennis would stroll in and we would have a chat. I used to look forward tothose chats everyday because at the end of each I had learned something new andimportant. Dennis was so generous with his knowledge and so forgiving about one'signorance. My learning curve on environmental issues was very steep and he

patiently taught me so much about the technological frontier, the links betweenenergy and growth, and how to think about and quantify choices at themicroeconomic level. We spent weeks working on economic modelling that showedhow countries could grow and still be environmentally sound. At times I remember


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being frustrated with the painstaking work required to get to an answer. But Denniswas patient and diligent and in the end always right! He was a quiet revolutionary inhis thinking -- many of his ideas which seemed impossible at the time are now part ofconventional wisdom.

But more than any of that I remember his (often wicked) sense of humour and hisgentle manner and his full-bodied laugh. The easiest way to make Dennis smile wasto mention his family of which he was so clearly proud. He was a wonderfulcolleague and friend and the world is a lesser place without him.

Minouche ShafikPermanent Secretary

Department for International Development

A legendOptimistic, warm, funny, supportive, enthusiastic, intelligent, generous, loyal - the listof qualities I admired in Dennis just gets longer every minute I reflect. I recall howwhen he'd arrive in the office for his Wednesday afternoon visit to the Treasury themood would be lifted and smiles would prevail. Even those who hadn't worked withhim much knew enough to refer to him as "a legend" and the suggestion that "a nicerman you could never wish to meet" certainly resonated with me.

We were unbelievably lucky that he was prepared to give so much of his time andwisdom to supporting us on the Stern Review. He came to the office one afternoon aweek but his output showed he must have been effectively full time. The fact that all

he got in return was his train fare is a testament to his generosity, his passionfor the subject and his joy in working with enthusiastic relative novices like myself.When we went to Beijing together in March last year it was great to see his joy atlocal interest in the messages from the Stern Team and, in particular, his work. Theglobal interest and praise for his contribution seemed to be a fitting reward for a yearswork that built on a lifetime of learning.

He taught me a lot in work and life. He is a great loss but the mention of his namestill brings a smile to my face - not least because in my abiding memory of him he hasa cheeky grin.

Chris TaylorWorked with Dennis on the Stern Review.

Dennis Anderson from ImperialDennis was my PhD supervisor at the Environmental Policy and Management Groupat Imperial during the early years of this millennium. Of course, there are manymemories from our time as 'colleagues'. I say 'colleagues' because Dennis alwaystreated me as such - and not as an irritating, time-consuming PhD student, as cansometimes happen with PhD supervisors. Dennis took great interest in my researchand getting my problems solved was a success to him as much as to myself - which I

still admire. I am too in mentoring role now and hope to evoke a similar atmosphereof mutual respect, encouragement and responsibility amongst my own students.


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I did not know much of Dennis' professional and academic achievements until muchlater (and in fact - at least that's the way I see it - it is only when you start your own

professional career that you realize that his achievements are even more remarkable),but I recall an event (a few months into my PhD) that has given me a glimpse of the

respect and interest that his peers held for him and his point-of-view. Dennis and Iwent to a seminar sitting somewhere in the back third of lecture theatre. I can't quiteremember exactly which event it was, but it was related to the Government's Reviewof Energy Policy at the time. Naturally there were presentations from the forthcomingreport and the usual Q&A's that you get at an event of such type. As is customquestioners get up, briefly introduce themselves and get on with the question - answerfollows. It happened only to Dennis - at this meeting - that when he got up tointroduce himself briefly as "Dennis Anderson from Imperial" that most people turnedaround to have a look (up) at him!

I too look up to Dennis and feel privileged to have shared defining years of my life

with him.

Daniel Weisser Dennis was Daniel's PhD supervisor at Imperial's Environmental Policy and

Management Group during 2001-2004.

Probably the smartest person I have ever worked withThe remarkable thing about Dennis is that he was probably the smartest person I haveever worked with, but he was also the most humble. I realise now how lucky I was to

have Dennis as my first boss after leaving university. He was a wonderful mentor,always happy to answer my questions, listen to my suggestions, and explain difficultconcepts in a straight-forward way. He was a true gentleman, and in a time where theworkplace is such a competitive environment, he was a refreshing change, alwaysgiving credit to the other members of team and making sure that everyone's hard workwas recognised. I will always be glad that Dennis was my first boss and I feel gratefulto him that he gave a completely new graduate a chance by hiring me. And the factthat he often brought me biscuits when he came back from holiday was just icing onthe cake.

Sarah Winne

I worked with Dennis at Imperial College from 2003 - 2004


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Obituary: Professor Dennis Anderson3

Dennis Anderson, who has died aged 70, was a highly creative applied economistwho drew on his engineering background to give his lifes work on energy a uniquequality and authority. Despite failing his 11-plus, he came to advise governments on

vitally important links between energy and the environment, witness key inputs to theStern Review of the economics of climate change and recognition in the Queen'sBirthday Honours.

Youngest son of a Sheffield coalman and charabanc owner, at 15 he wasapprenticed to the Central Electricity Generating Board, studying at RotherhamTechnical College for his HND. There a perceptive lecturer recognised hisremarkable mathematical ability, observing him on the tram reading algebra for

pleasure, rather than The Wizard. Equally unusual was the reason he had failed his11-plus. Undrilled, he saw too many answers to put pen to paper, an early sign of hisability to think outside established lines, and later to cross boundaries in a career thattook him from the energy industry to international development and environmentorganisations, leading universities, and energy and climate policy bodies.

Once launched, he progressed quickly, becoming Institute of ElectricalEngineering Prize Winner on graduation from Rotherham in 1959. He gained theDiploma of Imperial College and its Hinton Prize in Nuclear Engineering in 1960. In1962, he became a nuclear reactor physicist and then a senior power system engineerwith the CEGB, also taking an MSc in Engineering at Manchester. At the CEGB, hedeveloped multi-equation models to solve reactor kinetics and heat transfer equations,and was elected to the Institute of Physics. He designed electricity distribution andtransmission systems, wrote programs to optimize investments, and took a year out tostudy at LSE for an MSc in Econometrics. He graduated to full Membership of the

IEE and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.In 1967, he became an Economic Adviser at the Ministry of Technology,where his work included appraisal methods for nuclear power projects. In 1969, hemoved to the World Bank in Washington as a Senior Economist. Over the next twodecades, he went on more than eighty missions to thirty developing countries, rangingfrom extensive fieldwork to high-level ministerial discussions. His four-year research

partnership with his mentor Ralph Turvey produced Electricity Economics. Turveyand Andersons influential volume on electricity pricing and investment potentlycombined theory, modelling, country case studies and practical advice. This periodalso saw numerous seminars in many countries and productive Oxford sabbaticals atQueen Elizabeth House, St Antonys College and the Centre for African Studies.

In 1989, Royal Dutch Shell invited him to be their Chief Economist, a two-year post traditionally offered to creative economists from outside the company(Vincent Cable was a later incumbent). His brief included analysis for the famouslong-term Shell Scenarios of alternative energy futures. He spoke and wroteincreasingly about economic growth and the environment. He also became a VisitingProfessor at University College London, helping the late Professor David Pearce, then

3 An edited version of this obituary appeared in The Times on July 3, 2008 :

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4257017.ece?print=yes&randnum=1215426429889


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the UKs leading environmental economist, develop research and postgraduateteaching in environmental economics and policy.

In 1991, he returned to the Bank as Senior Adviser on Energy and Industry,developing new policies and operational initiatives, establishing innovative projects

based on sustainable technologies, and giving numerous seminars to government,

business and academic audiences. He played a major role in the Banks 1992 WorldDevelopment Report, Development and the Environment. It acknowledged that theBank had underestimated the importance and value of the environment, said thataccelerated economic and human development is sustainable and can be consistentwith improving environmental conditions, and accepted that this would requiremajor policy, programme, and institutional shifts. Thereafter he committed torealising this vision, his analyses tempered by experience and a shrewd understandingof institutional realities.

On retiring from the Bank in 1996, John Beddington, now Government ChiefScientific Adviser invited him to visit Imperial. For more than ten years, heunstintingly served a college that had helped him realise his potential, throwing

himself into the work of Imperials interdisciplinary Centre for EnvironmentalTechnology, becoming an ESRC Global Environmental Change Professorial ResearchFellow, then Professor of Energy and Environmental Studies. He set up ImperialsCentre for Energy Policy and Technology (ICEPT) building links across the Collegeto address energy-environmental problems. A stream of postgraduates came underkindly but testing scrutiny as, in shirtsleeves at the white board, he showed them howto craft key relationships into models with tractable results and communicable policyinsights.

His knowledge of technology, economics and policy equipped him with aunique understanding of how to tackle climate change. He became a leading experton renewable energy, always realistic, but enthusiastic about its potential, given theright policies. In his last decade, helped by his ICEPT team, he made key policycontributions: providing analysis for Energy Reviews and White Papers; briefing thePrime Minister and his advisers on low carbon technologies; and providing specialistadvice to Parliamentary Select Committees, the UK Energy Research Centre and theCarbon Trust. Executive adviser to the Stern Review, he provided invaluabletechnical advice and papers, and inputs to the final report. He also contributed to thework of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Global EnvironmentFacilitys Science and Technology Advisory Panel.

The energy and environmental field encompasses controversial issues, withoutspoken champions of particular technologies and approaches. While he handled

such debates carefully, he could be assertive in the face of belligerently ill-informedarguments and vested interests. Notable for his unstuffy manner and gentle humour,his former students and colleagues regarded him with great affection, indeed as amodel of decency, commitment and humility. His intellectual vigour and enthusiasmremained undimmed in his seventh decade. Had he not been the victim of cancer, hewould surely have continued to battle for the brighter future for humankind heinsisted was within reach. A good friend and generous host, his home life was centralto him. He leaves his wife, Marsaleete, and their two daughters, Lucy and Margaret

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