Sir Charles Wilson

Tam Dalyell's sympathetic obituary of Sir Charles Wilson [14 November] pays tribute to his immense contribution to the development of the idea and structure of new universities in Britain and the support system of the Vice-Chancellors' Committee and the University Grants Committee. Considering Leicester, writes Professor Trevor Dannatt, Dalyell omits mention of Wilson's creative concern for the built form of his university.

There his engagement of Leslie Martin as architect planner (working with Colin St John Wilson) ensured an initial core development of distinction, eroded in time by over-expansion. Then, through Martin's generosity and encouragement of younger practices, there resulted a clutch of distinguished buildings, many now listed and including Stirling and Gowan's epic engineering building and fine works by Lasdun, Sheppard Robson, Architects Co Partnership and others, and interiors by Alan Irvine.

Wilson took a lively interest in all these projects and was "kind and astute" and encouraging in dealings with younger architects, which I can testify to from my own work there, starting with the intimacies of the Vice-Chancellor's kitchen. Wilson I'm sure was persuaded by Leslie Martin's reflective approach to architecture and planning.

Between Wilson and Martin there was that architect/client affinity which ensures well building.