My former colleague Norman Graves, who has died aged 101, was for many years professor of geography education at the Institute of Education in London, where he was an influential figure in shaping the teaching of the subject.
Much of his thinking was outlined in his two books, Geography in Education (1975), and Curriculum Planning in Geography (1979). In addition, at the institute he was involved in setting up a master’s course aimed at helping teachers to study and research new movements. In the late 1970s he also set in motion the Schools Council Geography 16-19 Project, a course of study for 16-19-year-olds in English and Welsh schools that was developed at the institute.
Norman was born in Le Havre, northern France, to George, a British accountant, and his French wife, Andree (nee Carrel). In 1935 the family moved to north London, where he attended Highbury county grammar school, followed by an apprenticeship in telecommunications engineering with the Post Office.
Later he studied part-time for a degree in geography and economics at the LSE, and graduated in 1949. Shortly afterwards, on a cycling holiday in France, he met Mireille Dourguin, who was from Provence and also a teacher. They married in 1950, the year that Norman began his teaching career at East Ham grammar school in east London.
He then taught at Borough Beaufoy school in Lambeth (1954-58) before becoming head of geography at Malory comprehensive school in Bromley (1958-60) and then a teacher trainer at the University of Liverpool (1961-63).
In 1963 he joined the institute (now part of UCL) as head of its geography department. At the time geographers were beginning to adopt a more scientific perspective, focusing on spatial patterns and relationships rather than just describing the distinctiveness of areas and regions.
In his new role Norman was one of the first to synthesise these ideas and to describe – in lectures, books and articles – how they could be used to improve the quality of geography education.
While still at the institute he also acted as a consultant to Unesco, was chair of the education commission of the International Geographical Union from 1972 to 1980, and president of the Geographical Association from 1978 to 1979.
He retired from the institute in 1990, by which time he was its pro-director for professional studies. The Royal Geographical Society awarded him its Victoria Medal in 1993.
In retirement Norman and Mireille split their time between London and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where she had been born.
He is survived by Mireille and their twins, Helene and Francis.
