MANY tributes been paid already to the memory of Michael Adams for his extraordinary contribution to scholarly publishing in Ireland. That achievement was all the greater in view of the difficulties – not to say disasters – that have befallen so many academic publishing houses in Britain over the past quarter of a century. But Michael’s many authors who live and write outside Ireland will remember him as so much more than a publisher.
This enigmatic, shy man of few words had a commanding presence which enriched all our lives. On the one hand, there was that awkward, self-effacing, restless manner – the abrupt greeting and the all-consuming desire to get on with the job. But there was, too, the kindly, soulful eye that bespoke the formidable resources of the inner man, and there was also a humility, kindliness and generosity of the most selfless kind – which led him personally to spend hundreds of hours pouring over authors’ proofs to ensure deadlines were met and books saw the light of day.
Somewhere at the heart of Michael’s life was his ability to offer his services as a facilitator. He would listen carefully to other people’s plans and dreams and then he would quietly work to make them happen – often by offering very blunt advice along the way. But he was never rude, arrogant, or dismissive. Nor was the facilitating done entirely by a publisher working in the shadow of his authors. Somewhere behind the shy exterior you sensed the unmistakeable qualities of leadership, and an iron will to see things through to a successful conclusion.
Above all else, Michael Adams was a man of extraordinary integrity – always meaning what he said and always honouring his promises. Paradoxically, this pillar of Opus Dei – an association he never discussed unless pressed to do so – reminded one of those old-world Protestant Irish businessmen who were totally immersed in their work ethic and whose word was truly their bond. In today’s dark world of cynicism, fraud and corruption, the integrity of Michael Adams shone like a beacon.
Michael was unmarried and left no family of his own. He does, however, leave at least three other extended families, all of whose lives have been touched by him each in their own way. There is, firstly, his community of Opus Dei and, secondly, his small and dedicated team at Four Courts Press – staff past and present who have flawlessly delivered Michael’s dream of developing an academic publishing house the like of which Ireland had never seen before. And lastly, there is his family of authors, spread far and wide across the globe. Dublin will be a bleaker place without the man who always said “Huh!” whenever you asked him to publish your next book over a glass of his splendid Spanish rioja. “Huh!” from Michael Adams invariably meant “Yes”.
APS