As a publisher David Fulton, who has died from cancer aged 74, was a pioneer of books for teachers of children with special educational needs.
Inspired by tales from teachers of the woeful inadequacy of books specifically tailored to meet the needs of children diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s and other conditions, Mr Fulton set up a publishing company that did precisely that.
The books brought out by David Fulton Publishers became must-haves for many schools, and helped to reshape attitudes towards special needs education.
Born in 1937, he moved to Hampstead Garden Suburb 40 years ago, where he has lived with his second wife Pam in Chalton Drive.
After leaving school he spent three years in national service stationed in Berlin, before embarking on the career which was to prove his life’s passion – publishing.
He began his career at Chapman and Hall and Granada Publishing before setting up his own firm in 1987.
He helped bring to the shelf many transformative works, which forever changed the landscape of special educational needs teaching.
This was recognised in 2007 when Northampton University gave him an honorary fellowship, an award Mr Fulton said he was particularly proud to receive, not least because he missed out on a university education.
To those who knew him best, Mr Fulton was revered as a warm, caring and upstanding member of the community.
His sympathetic ear meant that he was often called upon by friends seeking support and advice, a trait which he put to public use in the early 1970s when he joined the Special Constabulary in King Cross.
A tireless charity fundraiser, he also helped to organise the popular proms at St Jude’s, raising money for Toynbee Hall and the North London Hospice, where he died last week after a battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Pam, and two grown-up sons Fergus and Neill
His funeral is being held at 1.30pm next Monday (December 12) at St. Judes-on-the-Hill in Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb.
Those who want to donate are asked to contribute to the North London Hospice.
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