John Cannon (historian)
John Ashton Cannon (born Hertfordshire, 8 October 1926, died Newcastle upon Tyne 25 October 2012) was an English historian specialising in 18th-century British politics. Cannon was educated at Hertford Grammar School where he gained a scholarship to Peterhouse, Cambridge, and gained his PhD at Bristol University (where he was appointed Lecturer in 1961 and Senior Lecturer in 1967 as well as Reader in 1970). During his time at Bristol, he also became involved in Radio Bristol when it was first aired and was Chairman from 1970 to 1974. In 1976 he was appointed Chairman of Modern  History at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Dean of the Faculty of Arts in 1979. He was Pro Vice Chancellor from 1983 to 1986 and was also employed by the History of Parliament Trust. In recognition of his contribution to Education, he was awarded a CBE in 1985. He was Vice-chairman of the University Grants Committee in the period till its abolition in 1990. His edition of Junius's "Letters" has been described by Junius' entry in the "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography" as the most "authoritative collection".