We are saddened to note that A. Graham Down passed away last weekend in Washington, D.C.

In 2011, at the age of 82, A. Graham Down became the first online book reviewer for Education Next.

A graduate of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Graham had formerly served as Acting Director of the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program and was Executive Director and President of the Council for Basic Education, (1974-1994). In his 80s, though Graham was still performing piano and harpsichord concerts, he found himself with some extra time and was happily recruited to review books on a wide range of education-related subjects. (His reviews can be found here.) Anyone lucky enough to have met Graham — or even to have read his work — will not soon forget him.

Michael Poliakoff of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni has written a thoughtful tribute to Graham here.

-Education Next