French scholar: born Lincoln 21 March 1928; Temporary Assistant Lecturer in French, Birmingham University 1954-55; Assistant Lecturer, then Lecturer in French, Queen's University, Belfast 1956-65; Professor of French Literature, Leeds University 1965-93 (Emeritus), Chairman of the Department of French 1968-72, 1975-79, 1982-85, 1987-93; married 1954 Joy Woodin (two sons, two daughters). "He retired in 1993 to spend more time with his golf clubs and his word processor. Although he continued to teach, lecture and produce another half-dozen books... Civilised, tolerant, urbane and totally unmalicious, he was a marvellous conversationalist - funny, often at his own expense, and always aware that there is a life beyond academic wrangles."
