Patrick French, renowned biographer of V.S. Naipaul, dies at 57

Historian, writer and teacher, French wore many hats

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS : In 2022, Patrick French stepped down as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences after five years. “We built the school from scratch," he tweeted posting a picture of him then and from 2017. Dressed in peach, the only difference between his photo in 2017 was that the colour of his shirt, pink then, and his glasses now, owl round. There was no hint of the battle that he was fighting, cancer, as he smiled broadly. It was his own war, fought valiantly, quietly, fiercely but privately.

“At 8.10 am this morning my beloved husband Patrick French passed away in London after a brave battle with cancer. . . His kindness and love will stay with us forever. He went in peace, without suffering,” his wife Meru Gokhale has been quoted in a statement on Thursday. He was 57.

Historian, writer, spotter of talent—undoubtedly nurturer and supporter of talent—and teacher, French wore many hats, all rather lightly. He was a columnist with THE WEEK for years. “He was funny and clever and charming, always full of enthusiasm and energy. He was also the greatest biographer of our generation,” tweeted William Dalrymple, who was a close friend of the writer.