DEATH OF ROBERT GREACEN, 1920 - 2008
It is with sorrow that we learned today of the death on Sunday of poet and writer, Robert Greacen, aged 87. The Western Writers’ Centre wishes to extend our condolences to his relatives and friends.
For my own part, I knew Robert over a period of years and read with him in Poitiers and in Paris. He was a gentleman of the old school, wearing a scholarly elegance and sense of ordinary manners. He had known great writers in his time, yet he remained modest, even, perhaps, shy. At his neat apartment in Sandymount, he would entertain in lively fashion with tea, conversation, literary news. And he was also witty, a sharp observer of human nature. We talked about books and occasionally exchanged books; he was an insightful and fair reviewer. With his passing goes yet another living connection to a very different, and arguably more discerning, literary age. Anyone who knew him came away the richer; by anyone who knew him, he will be missed deeply.
- Fred Johnston.
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