Frank Callanan SC

The obituary, which appears in today’s print edition, recognises Mr Callanan as a man who “managed to combine a busy practice at the Bar with an output of historical and literary writing that, in quality and quantity, equalled that of the most eminent scholars”.

It adds: “Callanan was prone to be overly convinced of the merits of his clients, had an abrasive quality as a barrister and was slower than most to settle cases short of their demands. He was also less sycophantic to the bench than was the norm.”