Tributes To Magnus Magnusson

Writer and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson – best remembered as the presenter of Mastermind for 25 years - has died, aged 77. He died peacefully at his home near Glasgow at 6.45pm in the arms of his family – his wife Mamie, to whom he was married for 52 years, and his four surviving children Sally, Margaret, Anna and Jon. His elder son Siggy died in 1973.

Last October Magnus was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

His children issued the following statement: "Magnus was the most generous, steadfast, loving and loved of husbands and fathers.

"He taught each of us how to live, and in the last few weeks he has taught us how to die. He did both with infinite grace."

Mark Thompson, Director-General, BBC, said: "For millions of viewers of viewers Magnus Magnusson was one of the defining faces and voices of the BBC.

"To the contestants of Mastermind, he was a tough but always fair question master, but behind this screen persona there was a family man of tremendous warmth and humanity.

"All our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time, and everyone at the BBC will share their tremendous sense of loss."

Magnus Magnusson was born in Iceland, on 12 October 1929. He came to Edinburgh at an early age and was educated at the Edinburgh Academy.

From there he went to Jesus College, Oxford on an Open Scholarship where he graduated in English Literature Hons BA (now MA) in 1951, and spent two further years at Oxford and Copenhagen doing post-graduate work in Old Icelandic literature.

Magnus Magnusson entered journalism in 1953 with the Scottish Daily Express where he became Chief Features and Assistant Editor. He joined The Scotsman in 1961 as Assistant Editor.

From 1967 he was a freelance writer and broadcaster, specialising in history, archaeology and environmental affairs.

He presented many programmes on TV and radio, most notably Mastermind from its inception in 1972.

He was one of the original creators of the historical and archaeological programme Chronicle, a regular feature on BBC Two from 1966 to 1980.

He made the first television series on China in 1973, followed by BC:The Archaeology Of The Bible Lands (1974) and Vikings (1980), both accompanied by the publication of books on the subject.

He published more than a score of books and translated several modern Icelandic novels and classical sagas.

In November 1989 he was awarded an Honorary Knighthood by the Queen for his service to the National Heritage, particularly in Scotland.

As an Icelander he could not be called Sir but could use the initials KBE.

In Iceland he was appointed Knight of the Order of the Falcon in 1975 (Knight Commander, 1986).

Magnus Magnusson received honorary doctorates from the Universities of Edinburgh (1978), York (1981), Strathclyde (1993), Paisley (1993), and Napier (1994).

He was an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford (1990).

He was also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; The Royal Society of Edinburgh; The Royal Institute of Architects of Scotland; The Society of Antiquaries of London; and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

He was Lord Rector of Edinburgh University (1975-78), Chairman of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland (1981-89), a Trustee of the National Museum of Scotland (1985-89), and President of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (1985-90).

He was also Chairman of the Nature and Conservancy Council for Scotland (1991-92) and Chairman of the Cairngorms Working Party (1991-93).

In 1992 he was appointed Chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage.

Magnus Magnusson presented Mastermind from when the series started on BBC One in 1972.

The 25th series broadcast in 1997 was his last, when Magnus equalled University Challenge presenter Bamber Gascoigne's record as the longest-serving host of a continuously running quiz show on British television.

Magnus Magnusson's book I've Started, So I'll Finish: The Story Of Mastermind was published in 1997.