Obituaries

James Seddon

(1 June 1920-9 January 1999)

Many years ago Alison Lyons phoned me; she knew that I was very much in need of someone who could help me - as secretary and as a general organiser of my work: timetables, notes, letters, etc. She had met Jim Seddon and realised that he would be just right for me. Indeed, he was, and I have always felt grateful to Alison for this gift: James Seddon.

James and I collaborated for many years; he accompanied me through many of my peregrinations - notes of my work with patients, preparations of seminars, lectures, reviews, articles, books, and my various involvements and functions in relation to the Society of Analytical Psychology (SAP), including of course the editorship of the Journal. I just now remember Jim's enthusiasm, in the early days of the Journal's appearance, and his knowledge, experience and skill when we were busy launching it as widely as possible. Jim showed, in whatever he took on, absolute involvement.

He was indeed quite a remarkable person. His interests were so widespread - literature, languages, the spiritual and mystical writings, ideas and philosophy of both East and West. He had read, and continued to read, so much. He also had a fabulous memory. But his greatest love was music. Like many writers, he had chosen early on to work in the night telegraph office because that would leave him time to pursue and study his major interests. The night work had endowed him with pyrotechnic skills on the keyboard that could make the copy spout out of my old Adler at the most astounding rate. But music remained his greatest passion, and I know he had a substantial collection of records, including a vast number of the old black 78s.

We could share a lot: thoughts, ideas, languages, and we collaborated in some translations. We also shared a passion for cats; he had a gorgeous Abyssinian that he loved dearly. He also had a special, and specialised, collection of alpines and cactuses.

His extensive interests and hobbies were ba