Oxford came top for English language and literature, philosophy, modern languages and geography in the QS World University Rankings by subject.

BBC: Oxbridge rated best in world for seven key subjects

Pansieri, a fluent speaker of English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese, in addition to her native Italian, holds doctorate degrees in philosophy from Milan University and in Chinese language and literature from Venice University.

UN: Secretary-General

Undaunted, Ayer turned UCL into one of the liveliest centres of English-language philosophy, hiring men who later became public intellectuals, including Sir Stuart Hampshire, Richard Wollheim and Sir Bernard Williams.

ECONOMIST: Obituary in brief