Brian Southam, the noted Jane Austen scholar, has died aged 79.
He was the author of many important books on Jane Austen and her works, such as Jane Austen’s Literary Manuscripts,
which was based on his thesis written at Oxford University, and Jane Austen and the Navy
He was also wrote many scholarly articels on her works (The Silence of the Bertrams being one of the most outstanding for me). He was also Chairman of the Jane Austen Society from 1990-2005, and during that time helped enlarge and transform the soceity,encouraging the growth of the regional branches.
The full text of his obituary, published by the Daily Telegraph, can be accessed here.
6 comments
October 17, 2010 at 12:55 am
Karen
I’m currently reading Jane Austen and the Navy. Now I’ll read it with even more enthusiasm.
October 17, 2010 at 11:59 am
jfwakefield
Sad news, indeed that we shall read no more of his informative works.
October 18, 2010 at 12:27 pm
imogen88
What a glorious man and a great obit. The world needs more men like him, to make sense of it. A great legacy, thanks for posting, Julie.
October 18, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Cathy Allen
I agree with Moni; it was a very descriptive obit, even though I (sadly) admit I did not recognize the name. He surely improved the world, and, again, as Moni said, he left us a great legacy. Thank you for letting us know, Julie.
CEA
October 19, 2010 at 8:31 am
jfwakefield
His works are worth looking out for-sometimes he could be a little controversial. But I, for one, enjoyed his vision of Jane Austen,and will miss his intelligent and interesting articles and books.
October 19, 2010 at 8:30 am
jfwakefield
My pleasure, Moni.