H05034 THE DEATH OF JAMES GIBSON - 4/17/05 - HARDY FORUM ARCHIVES ____________________________________________________________________________
From: schweikr@localnet.com
Subject: The Death of Jim Gibson
Date: April 17, 2005 6:10:14 PM PDT
Sadly, I've learned today of the death of Jim Gibson, a dear friend and one of the most
outstanding Hardy scholars and editors in our generation.
He will best be remembered for his Variorum Edition of The Complete Poems of Thomas Hardy
--one of the two standard editions of Hardy's poems--an achievement which alone guarantees his
stature as one of the first-rank scholars in his field. He was enormously productive. As well as The Complete
Poems, he also edited The Chosen Poems of Thomas Hardy, and Thomas Hardy: Interviews and Recollections.
and was joint editor of the Casebook: Thomas Hardy's Poems--continuously in print for 25 years. Among his many
other publications was a splendid brief biography of Hardy entitled Thomas Hardy: A Literary Life.
But I think of him in more personal ways. I recall at one of the earliest of the Thomas Hardy Society conferences
going to a seminar on Hardy's poetry that he was conducting. I was cynical and didn't expect much. But what
a revelation! Jim's comments on the Hardy poems he had selected were remarkable for their sophistication and
illuminating quality. And who of us could forget his memorable visits to Weymouth Beach for after dark readings
of Hardy's poetry--and, on one occasion, at least, being arrested by the Weymoth police for what they took to be
(and perhaps we were) rowdy intruders!
He was a great scholar. More importantly--far more importantly--he was, in Marty South's memorable words, "a
good man who did good things." I treasure his many kindnesses to me.
Jim--for so much I and so many more owe you--thanks!
Bob
Robert Schweik
University Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus
State University of New York
Fredonia, NY 14063
schweik@fredonia.edu
schweikr@localnet.com
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From: hardycor@owl.csusm.edu
Subject: Re: The Death of Jim Gibson
Date: April 17, 2005 8:45:47 PM PDT
This is a sad day for all lovers of Hardy. It was Jim's edition of the
Complete Poems that first drew me to seriously consider devoting my studies
to Hardy's works. When I first met him in 1996 on my first visit to
Dorchester, I felt honored to be in his presence. Since then he has become
a cherished friend. Both John and I will truly miss him. We send our
sincere condolences to Helen, and a sad farewell to a great scholar and a
good man.
Betty and John Cortus
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From: A.Richardson@exeter.ac.uk
Subject: RE: The Death of Jim Gibson
Date: April 18, 2005 3:12:54 AM PDT
This is very sad indeed. Jim was a wonderful scholar and teacher, and I send
my sincere sympathies to Helen, and to Jim's many close friends and students.
Angelique
Dr Angelique Richardson
School of English
University of Exeter
Email: A.Richardson@exeter.ac.uk
Telephone: ++(44) (0) 1392 264354
http://www.english.ex.ac.uk/staff-and-research/staff-information/angelique-richardson.shtml
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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu
Subject: RE: The Death of Jim Gibson
Date: April 18, 2005 5:39:55 AM PDT
"Let it befall that One will call,
'Soul, I have need of thee:'
What then? Joy-jaunts, impassioned flings,
Love, and its ecstasy,
Will always have been great things,
Great things to me!
"Great Things" was one of Jim's favourite poems. As we sat under the stars on Weymouth beach last August these lines came to him without recourse to flashlight and book. He knew them by heart.
Indeed, Jim's own life and career was a "great thing" in itself. Born into London poverty with a mother struggling (solo) to keep body and soul together he was faced with her tragic death when he was still a young lad. After adjusting his tender years to the required age he joined the army. Military life proved to be deeply formative for Jim -- so much so that when he was recovering from the drowse of anaesthesia after knee surgery a few years ago he "returrned" to Egypt, vividly reliving (out loud!) his time there as a young man.
Jim loved to recount his experiences of army life. One of his favourite stories concerned his first love, John Keats. He had offered to give a talk to the NCOs on Keats. When the moment arrived the sergeant rounded up the troops with enthusiastic shouts of " Roll Up! Roll Up! come on lads, you're going to learn all about the keats."
After gaining an education in the army Jim moved on to civilian life and teaching --first as a schoolmaster at Dulwich College and eventually as lecturer at the University of Kent. Shortly after producing Hardy's Complete Poems he moved to Dorchester where he took on editorship of the Hardy Journal and became the king pin of the Hardy Society.
Jim's funeral will take place on Friday at Stinsford Church (where Hardy is buried) and his ashes will be taken, later, to St Juliot where he said he always felt completely at peace.
Great Scholar, Beloved Friend -- farewell!
Rosemarie
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From: ttha@st-andrews.ac.uk
Subject: Re: The Death of Jim Gibson
Date: April 18, 2005 12:47:03 PM PDT
I first met Jim at the _Jude the Obscure_ centenary weekend in Oxford, almost
exactly ten years ago. A university undergraduate and very much a novice to
Hardy and the Hardy Society at the time Jim made me feel more than welcome. It
was Jim who encouraged me to work on Hardy and since then had always been happy
to discuss my ideas with me, straightening out numerous problems in the
process.
I recall many conversations with him on his work and mine, and on many other
things Hardyan. During my research trips to Dorset meetings with Jim always
were an unforgettable highlight providing me with an insight to the world of
Hardy I would not have obtained otherwise.
Jim generously offered me his academic advice and guidance and more than that --
his friendship.
Many thanks, Jim. I will always be in your debt.
Birgit
University of St Andrews Webmail: http://webmail.st-andrews.ac.uk
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From: wwmorgan@ilstu.edu
Subject: The Death of Jim Gibson
Date: April 18, 2005 12:47:04 PM PDT
I'll just add my voice to those of Bob, Rosemarie, and others: Jim was an immensely learned man, a fierce advocate for Hardy's greatness ("second only to Shakespeare," as he said many a time), and a superbly generous friend.
I met him (as I met so many others--Ian Gregor, Michael Irwin, Desmond Hawkins, etc.) in the summer of 1978 when I made my first trip to the DCM to work my way through the Hardy letters there and attended my first Hardy Summer School (as they were called back then). He and I had corresponded about some textual matters in Hardy's poems, and I was anxious to meet him. At the time Jim lived in Canterbury, so I drove over from Dorchester one Friday afternoon, expecting to meet with him and his family for dinner, have a bit of conversation, and stay over in a hotel. He met me outside his house, fed me dinner, took me off to his study where he gave me Hardy Ale to drink and kept me up until about 2:30 talking about Hardy. I stayed over, and the next day he took me on a marvelous tour of Canterbury--the cathedral, St Agatha's Church, the Conrad Memorial, etc. As we were standing outside his house before my departure, he was till imparting generous "tips": "Did you know that the paper on which Hardy's holographs of his poems are written has a dated watermark?" Well, of course I didn't; I suspect he was the only person on earth who did know that in 1978. It was typical of him to give away that kind of information--the kind a more career-oriented academic would guard jealously.
It became my custom to see Jim in Canterbury and later Jim and Helen in Cerne Abbas every time I was in England. And when I started bringing groups of students over to study Hardy on location, Jim became a regular visitor to those classes, always coming in for an afternoon to deliver a stunning exposition of Hardy's formal complexity and a rousing endorsement of Hardy's unrivalled wisdom. Those presentations and the evenings with him among his books are some of my favorite memories of him. Incidentally, I don't think anyone has mentioned how much he knew about Hardy's books as books: he was a superb bookman and Hardy collector, knowing the points of this or that edition of Tess or Moments of Vision right down to the footnotes in Purdy. His Hardy collection was one of the best in the world when he sold most of it a few years back. (And of course he couldn't resist a bargain, so he started over; the last time I was with him and Helen in Cerne in 2004, he was showing me some new acquisitions to the Gibson Collection, v. II.)
Jim could be strikingly stubborn and irascible, but one never had the feeling that his stiffness was unloving: I have left his house after hours of agreeing on little and disagreeing on much, but still with a keen sense of having been in the presence of a good friend and a loving and loveable man.
I'm a secular person, but I know a blessing when I see one: Jim Gibson was a blessing. We are all diminished by his passing.
Bill Morgan
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From: jww543@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: The Death of Jim Gibson
Date: April 18, 2005 4:12:31 PM PDT
Dear Friends,
Like Betty Cortus I first met Jim in 1996, which was also my first Hardy Conference. I had read much of his work and was a bit too humbled to speak with him much more than over occasional drinks in the Corn Hall. In 1998 I was privileged to spend a bit more time with him in the Corn Hall pub, then in 2000 to share a delightful lunch in a Cerene Abbas pub whose name escapes me. In 2002 and 2004 I spent some time in Helen and Jim's gracious home and was gifted with several signed volumes of Jim's work. Their warmth, grace, and generosity to this humble high school teacher touched my spirit beyond any words. I do remember those 1996 nights of poetry on the beach as well as pub gatherings, but the memory I treasure most is when Jim asked about my own writing and stayed interested in my replies; we then went on to speak about teaching and the many relations between writing and teaching, his own being astonishing in their range from the Second War to this very year.
As with every one who knew him, I feel as if the world is suddenly dimmer and sadder and absent a beloved inspiration. Thanks, Jim, for your presence in our lives, and all love to Helen.
Julian
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From: hardycor@owl.csusm.edu
Subject: James Gibson Memorial Page
Date: April 20, 2005 9:36:59 AM PDT
Dear Forum Members,
When Rosemarie Morgan returns from Jim Gibson's funeral in Dorchester she
will be creating a Memorial Page for him where his Vice President's page
now exists.
http://www.yale.edu/hardysoc/VPBOX/james.htm
Jim was a founder member of The Hardy Association in 1997 and remained one
its most loyal and enthusiastic supporters.
If anyone has messages, memories, tributes or (small ) photos please send
them direct to Rosemarie for inclusion in Jim Gibson's Memorial page.
(Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu)
With every good wish
Betty Cortus (For Rosemarie Morgan)
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From: hardycor@owl.csusm.edu
Subject: Jim Gibson
Date: April 22, 2005 6:41:25 AM PDT
Dear All,
During Jim's illness his wife, Helen, was unable to receive Forum messages,
and I thought those of you who wrote such moving tributes to Jim on the
Forum might like to know that I printed them all up, and they will be
mailed to Helen today. I'm sure she will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Betty
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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu
Subject: Re: James Gibson Memorial Page
Date: April 25, 2005 6:17:35 AM PDT
Greetings All:
I am grateful to those who have written to me privately for Jim's Memorial page. I will keep you posted here, on the Forum, when I have gotten around to creating the page ( it will be a short while- I'm afraid). Please continue to send me your anecdotes, tributes and pictures in the meantime.
And while I'm here I'd also like to thank those of you who so kindly troubled to make phone calls to the UK and elsewhere last week notifying Jim's friends of his funeral at Stinsford. There were many present on Friday who wouldn't have been there but for you!
Blessings,
Rosemarie
Jim's current TTHA page is at:
http://www.yale.edu/hardysoc/VPBOX/james.htm
Jim was a founder member of The Hardy Association in 1997 and remained one
its most loyal and enthusiastic supporters.
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