Frances Davey (SCR 1974-1981)

Died 23rd January 2024, aged 91

Former Head Master of Merchant Taylors' School.

Frances Davey, Head Master of Merchant Taylors’ School between 1974 and 1981, died peacefully on the 23rd January 2024 at a care home in Gloucestershire aged 91.

Born in Sheffield in 1932, he graduated at New College, Oxford in 1955 and went on to complete his Masters also at New College, Oxford in 1958. Frances Davey came to Merchant Taylors’ School from Dr Morgan’s School, Bridgwater where he was Headmaster between 1966 and 1972. Prior to that he taught Classics at Dulwich College and Warwick School (where he was Head of Classics).

Frances Davey was Head Master at Merchant Taylors’ School on the occasion of the opening of the Music Department in 1975 by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The project was the vision of his predecessor, Brian Rees, and continues to be the heart of the musical life of school today.

In his email to the school, Frances Davey’s son, Jonathan, wrote “He always remembered his time at Taylors’ with affection, was clearly proud to have held the position of Head Master and followed developments at the school with interest following his retirement.”