THE DEATH has occurred of Michael Adams, founder and managing director of Four Courts Press.
He set up Four Courts Press in 1992, initially to publish religious books, in particular the scripture commentary known as the Navarre Bible, an interest arising out of his long-standing membership of Opus Dei.
The press expanded rapidly from its theology base, first into Celtic and medieval studies and ecclesiastical history, and then into modern history, art, literature and law.
Michael Adams was born in 1937 in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. He qualified as a butcher before studying economics in Queen’s University, Belfast.
He worked in a number of jobs before entering the world of publishing, first with the US-based Opus Dei publishers, Scepter Press, and then as marketing manager for Irish University Press. While in this position he began publishing independently.
When it collapsed in 1984 he was one of the founders of Irish Academic Press. He was also involved in setting up Round Hall Press.
He earned a doctorate with his research for Censorship: the Irish experience in 1968, and was awarded an honorary doctorate for his services to publishing by Trinity College in 2005.
He is survived by his brother Julien and sister Gretchen, who both live in Niagara, Canada, and by his nieces and nephews.