John Ashworth

Sir John Ashworth (27 November 1938 – 3 March 2025) was a British biochemist and educationalist.

Early life and education Ashworth was born on 27 November 1938. He was educated at West Buckland School and Exeter College, Oxford. and then director of the London School of Economics from 1990 to 1996.

Ashworth was a chairman of the British Library board 1996–2001, the Institute of Cancer Research (deputy chairman) 2003–07, and Barts and the London NHS Trust 2003–07.

Ashworth was a governor of the Ditchley Foundation and also chairman of the board of trustees at Richmond, The American International University in London, a private liberal arts and professional studies university based in Richmond upon Thames and Kensington.

Personal life and death Ashworth married Auriol Stevens on 23 July 1988. He lived in Wivenhoe in north-east Essex, close to his daughter and grandchildren. He died on 3 March 2025, at the age of 86.

Honours Ashworth was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Leicester in 2005. He retired in 2007, and was awarded a knighthood for public services in the Queen's New Year Honours list 2008.