The entire intellectual community of the Shakespeare Institute - its past and present students and fellows, in Stratford and beyond - mourns the passing of Reg Foakes, who died at his home in Stratford just before Christmas.
The entire intellectual community of the Shakespeare Institute - its past and present students and fellows, in Stratford and beyond - mourns the passing of Reg Foakes, who died at his home in Stratford just before Christmas.
Reg Foakes became an Assistant Lecturer at the Institute soon after its establishment in 1951, and he remained both a familiar face in its library and an inspirational presence on its reading lists throughout a long and brilliant transatlantic career.
His remarkable scholarship - visible in distinguished editions of plays by Shakespeare and Tourneur, of the theatrical papers of Philip Henslowe, of the criticism of Coleridge, of images of the Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre, and much else, as well as in major critical works on Shakespeare both in his own time and in subsequent culture - was matched by his creativity; he was a powerful poet and autobiographer, as well as an endlessly generous colleague and teacher. He is already much missed.
After a private cremation, there will be a memorial service celebrating Reg’s life and achievements at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford at 12.30pm on Monday 20 January 2014, followed by a lunch reception at the Shakespeare Institute. All are welcome, but if you plan to attend the reception could you please contact Reg’s daughter Rachel on rachelfoakes@yahoo.co.uk.
