Jack Whitehead, who has died aged 98, was an inspired teacher by nature. No one ever had a conversation with Jack without learning something new, and yet he wore his knowledge lightly. He taught for many years in north London schools, wrote a series of books on the history of the area, and in retirement developed a unique resource aimed at encouraging children to learn through exploring their own local history.
Jack lived in north London all his life. He was born in Finsbury Park to Albert and Olive, who were musicians, and went to Tollington Park grammar school and Shoreditch Training College. His deep affection for his birthplace was the starting point for a series of self-published local history books, The Growth of Stoke Newington (1985), The Growth of Muswell Hill (1998), The Growth of Camden Town (2000) and The Growth of St Marylebone and Paddington (2001).
He was politically aware from an early age. Having taken part in the battle of Cable Street in 1936, Jack joined the political theatre company Unity Theatre in the late 1930s, where he met his wife, Pat. On one occasion he found himself backstage during a production in the New Burlington Galleries, Mayfair, which at the time was hosting an exhibition of Picasso's Guernica painting and studies. The work made an enduring impression on his values and political outlook.
During the second world war, Jack joined the RAF and was posted to north Africa to rescue aircrew and salvage ditched aircraft in the deserts of Libya. He moved with the army to Italy, and became an education officer for two years. In 1956 he joined Woodberry Down comprehensive school, one of London county council's new schools, where he taught craft and technical drawing. He later wrote and published a book on the subject, Graphic Communication Made Simple (1985).
During his retirement, Jack and his nephew Keith Robinson developed a website, www.locallocalhistory.co.uk, to help schools teach local history. He believed that by exploring their built and natural environments, children would discover many unexpected avenues of important learning.
Pat died in 2002. Jack is survived by his son, Jack; two grandchildren, Susie and Tom; and three great-grandchildren, Abby, Billy and Ruby.
