My friend Martin Durham, who has died aged 70, was a kind, generous and committed academic with a lifetime interest and expertise in the British far right.
Born in Plymouth, to Phyllis (nee Ransome), a librarian, and Russell Durham, a motor mechanic, Martin grew up to be a voracious reader. After leaving Devonport high school for boys, he became the first person in his family to go on to higher education, studying politics at Birmingham Polytechnic (now Birmingham City University). His fantastic sense of humour, hippy hair and ability to entertain won him many friends. Martin always had a stock of hilarious stories, often told at his own expense.
