Dear colleagues,

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dennis E. Rhodes, 97, former Deputy Keeper of Printed Books at the British Library. Dennis was one of the world’s foremost experts in renaissance and early modern bibliography, especially of Italian material. Throughout his long and distinguished career he published many significant studies, including Incunabula in Greece: A First Census (1980), Studies in Early Italian Printing (1982) and several seminal catalogues of incunabula in British collections. In 1993 he was honoured by his colleagues through the publication of a festschrift, The Italian Book, 1465-1800: Studies Presented to Dennis E. Rhodes on his 70th Birthday​. In 2007, Dennis contributed to a volume honouring his colleague at the British Museum Library/British Library, Ian Willison: The Commonwealth of Books: Essays and Studies in Honour of Ian Willison, edited by Wallace Kirsop (BSANZ founding member).

Several of his colleagues have shared their memories with me of Dennis’ great kindness towards and mentorship of young bibliographers, which was a hallmark of his career: he was unfailingly generous both with his knowledge and his support of students in practical ways, such as through gifts of useful books.

The world of bibliography is so much the richer for his contribution, and we offer our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, who will miss him greatly.

You will find many of Dennis’ publications in your library of choice, and you can read two of his articles freely via the British Library site: https://www.bl.uk/eblj/authorindex.html#r​

I trust you are all staying well and keeping safe in this difficult time.

Regards,

Anna Welch
Vice President, BSANZ​