Tributes have been paid to historian and biographer Lisa Jardine

Tributes have been paid to historian and biographer Lisa Jardine following her departure at the age of 71 from cancer.

Ms Jardine, a professor of renaissance studies at University College London and an honorary fellow of the Royal Society, was praised as “inspirational” and a “amazing communicator”.

Prof Jardine served as chair of the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) .

She was also a trustee of the Victoria and Albert Museum for eight years.

As a writer, Prof Jardine tackled subjects including Erasmus Shakespeare and 17th Century Holland.

She created the Centre for Editing Lives and Letters at Queen Mary, University of London and was also a fellow.