We were very sorry to hear of the recent death of our former Head of History, Dr Henrik Langelüddecke (Staff 2001- 06), who was a very popular and highly respected colleague during his time at the school.
At the time of his 2001 appointment, Emanuel School was trying to improve its academic results. The then Headmistress, Anne-Marie Sutcliffe, sought out teachers of the highest academic calibre, with Henrik being one of her strongest appointments. As well as teaching history, Henrik was tasked with re-establishing the Scholar’s Society, which had been dormant for 75 years. In fact, his successor, Ms Sophia MacMillan, noted: “He was a hard act to follow, being one of the most organised men you could ever hope to meet.”
Henrik was born in Frankfurt-am-Main in 1962, and his early education was in Stuttgart. Before attending university, where he flourished in the academic environment, he spent three years serving in the German Army, reaching the rank of Captain.
Henrik was a distinguished academic who studied at Heidelberg, Munich, and Oxford, gaining a Master of Arts (History, Politics & Geography) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Modern History. After his doctorate, he remained in England and worked as a history tutor at Oxford for three years, followed by two years at Alleyn’s School and then three years as Head of Department at St Mary’s School, Colchester. Along the way he married Heather, a Canadian who was an expert in business law, settling in the Docklands area of London.
Perhaps Henrik’s greatest strength was his relationship with his students and the way he encouraged them to think for themselves. He joined a very strong and lively history department that included Andrew Keddie and the late Jonathan Driver. His character and teaching style engaged with and interested pupils to such a degree that many were drawn into history and politics despite themselves. Longer serving colleagues in the history department spoke warmly of Henrik’s good nature, academic curiosity, and his ability to socialise after work.
Henrik with teachers Hiroo Kato and Chris Labinjo
After leaving Emanuel, Heather and Henrik returned to Germany; Henrik worked in an international school in Frankfurt, where their family grew. He is survived by three children, aged between fourteen and twenty-two. He published many academic articles, sometimes specialising in Charles I, but always maintained a special interest in both World Wars. In his time at Emanuel, Henrik led trips to both Berlin and the First World War battlefields. In 2014, he renewed his old connection with Emanuel School by contributing a fascinating article about his father’s war experiences in “A View from the Other Side of the Hill: the experiences of a German Artillery Officer from Dunkirk to Monte Cassino” for the book “Emanuel School at War“.
Henrik will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the many former pupils he taught, encouraged and helped in his long career.
Tony Jones, Archivist