Yesterday, the world lost a truly great man, Mr George Whitman. Aged 98, he was the owner of the Paris institution, Shakespeare and Company. More than just an English language bookshop in St. Germain-des-Près, it is a second home to literary types worldwide, including the “Tumbleweeds”—the writers and poets who sleep between the books and work in the store by day.
On Wednesday 14th December, 2011, George Whitman died peacefully at home in the apartment above his bookshop, Shakespeare and Company, in Paris. George suffered a stroke two months ago, but showed incredible strength and determination up to the end, continuing to read every day in the company of his daughter, Sylvia, his friends and his cat and dog. He died two days after his 98th birthday.
Last year, I volunteered at the Shakespeare and Company Literary Festival and had the great pleasure of meeting George. I’ll forever remember him as a charmer, a lady’s man and the patriarch of English literature in France. He also had excellent taste in blazers. Rest in peace. Our sincere condolences to his daughter, Sylvia, and those at Shakespeare and Company.
Published on 15 December 2011 by Agony Uncle