Tributes have been paid to an award-winning computer scientist from Marlborough whose innovative research revolutionised his field.

Professor Edwin Hancock, born in Marlborough on June 24, 1956, was the only son of “one of the town’s great characters” Pat Hancock.

Having grown up with his mum in Marlborough and developed a love of science while attending Marlborough Grammar School, Edwin went on to attend the University of Durham where he received his BSc in physics and PhD in high energy nuclear physics before becoming a Doctor of Science.

Throughout his career, Edwin pioneered the way for computer science and became the Emeritus Professor of Computer Vision at the University of York, as well as Principal Investigator of the Beijing Innovation Centre for Big Data and Brain Computing at Beihang University.

The Marlborough-born man racked up an astounding number of achievements throughout his life, being named Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in 2016, second vice president of the International Association for Pattern Recognition in 2016, and elected as Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2021.

He also received several prestigious awards throughout his years including the Pierre Deviver Award, Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award and the Seventeenth Annual Pattern Recognition Award.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Professor Edwin Hancock achieved more things in 67 years than we could possibly list in one article.Professor Edwin Hancock achieved more things in 67 years than we could possibly list in one article. (Image: University of York)

Edwin has been described as a "prolific researcher" and "one of the best in his field" and it is clear he was heavily admired by all who met him.

"He was an outstanding scientist that revolutionised the field of Pattern Recognition," shared fellow academic Francisco Escolano on social media.

"Those who learnt from him will miss his humanity and charm but we will never forget his gigantic legacy.

"Fellow of IEEE and IAPR, editor in chief of Pattern Recognition and Doctor Honoris Causa for the University of Alicante are only a few of his honours.

"For me and my family, he has been a mentor and a friend."

Edwin died on Friday, January 19, 2024, aged 67.

His funeral is being held in York's Bishopthorpe Crematorium on Thursday, February 22.