OBITUARIES
JONTY DRIVER 1939-2023
Jonty Driver , poet , novelist , political activist and teacher , was one of Kim Taylor ’ s inspired appointments , joining Sevenoaks in 1964 in his first teaching post . An anti-apartheid protester , his arrival from South Africa was delayed after he was arrested under the 90-day detention law and spent 30 days in solitary confinement .
He was born Charles Jonathan Driver in 1939 in Mowbray , a suburb of Cape Town , and attended St Andrew ’ s College in Grahamstown , where his father was chaplain . Jonty became involved in student politics while at the University of Cape Town , being elected President of the National Union of South African Students and becoming involved in student protests . His father died just before his arrest and detainment .
Following a year teaching English at Sevenoaks , Jonty went to Oxford to study for an MPhil , before returning to the school in 1967 . The following year he became Housemaster of the IC . At six foot four , he was a striking and commanding figure , but his teaching style was inspirational and encouraging , and he is remembered by Old Sennockians as a kind and hugely influential schoolmaster . After leaving Sevenoaks in 1973 , he went on to other schools in England and Hong Kong , including three headships , completing his career as Master of Wellington College .
Jonty was also a poet , novelist and biographer . He was an honorary senior lecturer in the School of Literature and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia .
He was a great friend and supporter of Sevenoaks and stayed in contact with many Old Sennockians . It was a great pleasure to see him and his wife Ann , back at the school in June 2022 for the Annual Reunion Lunch . Sevenoaks played an important role in their lives and they had great affection for the school .
Jonty is survived by his wife , Ann , whom he met and married in 1967 , their three children , Dominic , Dax and Tamlyn , and eight grandchildren .
144 OLD SENNOCKIANS