We pass on the sad news of the death of Emeritus Prof. James Mayall (14 April 1937 - 5 November 2025). James was the first Sir Patrick Sheehy Professor of International Relations at Cambridge, 1997-2004, after having been Lecturer and then later Professor of International Relations at the LSE from 1966. He was instrumental in laying the foundations of what became the Department of Politics and International Relations through his leadership of the Centre for International Studies, especially in moving the Centre out of the History Faculty, and beginning the discussions that later bore fruit in the creation of POLIS. Despite formally retiring in 2004, James remained very active in teaching both at Sidney Sussex as a supervisor and Director of Studies, and in the Department, especially in supervising MPhil and MSt students.
After having worked in India prior to his academic career, James had a strong affection for the country, and made regular trips there as a staunch supporter of the Pavate Fellowship at Cambridge. Perhaps his most famous work is Nationalism in International Society (Cambridge 1990), his last book was a co-edited volume Power, Legitimacy, and World Order (2023).
This tribute was written by Professor Jason Sharman, Sir Patrick Sheehy Professor of International Relations.
Write a tribute:
James's students and colleagues are welcome to submit tributes to him. If you have something you would like to share, please email communications@polis.cam.ac.uk
Message from Babatunde IDOWU:
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Professor James Mayall. As my PhD supervisor at LSE in the 1990s, he was more than an academic guide—he was a mentor in the truest sense. His wisdom, generosity, and unwavering kindness left an indelible mark on my life and scholarship.
Professor Mayall had a rare gift for nurturing intellectual curiosity while offering gentle encouragement. His door was always open, his counsel always thoughtful, and his belief in his students quietly profound. I owe much of my academic journey to his steady guidance and humane spirit. I learnt that he supervised many Nigerians that studied in LSE in the 1970s and 1980s - one of them was Amb. Prof Alaba Ogunsanwo
His legacy will live on in the countless lives he shaped, the ideas he championed, and the warmth he brought to every conversation. I join many others in mourning his loss and celebrating the extraordinary life he led.
My thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
With deepest sympathy, Babatunde IDOWU