Associate Professor Ronald David Bedford died in Sydney on 26 April. Retired from the University of New England in July 2008, he was a respected and loved colleague and friend, and an intrepid explorer of sixteenth and seventeenth century English literature and culture. At heart Ron was a true Renaissance scholar who wore his expertise lightly. His passion for and deep knowledge of his subject, in particular the works of his beloved John Milton, the poetry of John Donne, Andrew Marvell and George Herbert, and the works of Shakespeare, inspired all who were exposed to his astute insights and ideas both in the classroom and in the larger academic arena.

His rich voice, sensitive approach to these often challenging works, coupled with his engaging observations and anecdotes brought the world of early modern England to life.

Ron taught us all a good deal about teaching and to teach with him was sheer pleasure. His humour and patience brought out the best in his students, and brought out the best in us, his colleagues who enjoyed the privilege of hearing a lovely mind at work. His lectures and seminars deserved applause, and grateful students and colleagues frequently let him know their appreciation. Many of Ron’s postgraduate students flourished, writing dissertations and theses under his guidance; some of their work won acclamation from national and international examiners. At the same time, Ron was such a modest man that many students were unaware of how blessed they were to have him as their tutor and exemplar.

Ron’s research has been widely influential and earned him international acclaim in his field. In particular his fine readings of poets such as John Donne have opened new paths for future scholarship. His single-authored books have received critical praise such as ‘A very fine, well-written, sensitive study…impressive’ for The Defence of Truth: Herbert of Cherbury and the Seventeenth Century (Philosophical Books), and ‘Consistently intelligent and rigorously lucid…a work of tact and cunning’ for Dialogues with Convention: Readings in Renaissance Poetry (Times Higher Education Supplement). Such comments catch his literary style as well as his searching, subtle mind and his witty, luminous speech. His collaborative books with Lloyd Davis and Philippa Kelly have been equally successful, their multi-disciplinary perspective and range a testament to Ron’s ability to embrace fully the complexities of his subject.

Ron was born in London in 1940. Educated at Cambridge, he came to the University of New England from the University of Exeter in January 1992. He was an Adjunct Associate Professor from October 2008 to October 2011. During this time Ron was actively involved in the larger literary scene in Australia, serving as publisher’s reader for several journals and as Executive Member of the Australia and New Zealand Shakespeare Association, and the Australian Universities Language and Literature Association for a number of years. A quiet achiever, he was greatly respected and much liked by all who knew and worked with him.

Ron was a kind and gentle colleague and friend. Missed among scholars on the global scale, he is greatly missed in the world of his family and everyone who was brightened by his presence.

Louise Noble

Catherine Waters

Michael Sharkey

Dugald Williamson