New Professor of French

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32860, 8 March 1972, Page 18

New Professor of French

The chair of French at the University of Canterbury, left vacant since the departure of Professor R. T. Sussex early last year has been filled by the appointment of Dr L. D. Bancroft, associate-professor in French at the University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales.

Bom in Sheffield in 1939, Professor Bancroft graduated B.A. with first-class honours in French from the University of Birmingham in 1960 after courses at the universities of Aix-en-Provence and

Strasbourg. He taught English at a French boys’ school and language at Charters School, Sunningdale, before

being appointed a lecturer in French at the University of New England in 1962. Last year he was nominated by the French Embassy in Australia for Palmes Academiques. Professor Bancroft has wide interests in French films and their makers, in drama, modem literature and music and in the spreading of French culture. His research interests include the work of Jean Coc-

, teau (poetry, music, critic--1 ism and original film work), > the work of Paul Claudel, ■ comparative studies of film > and literary aesthetics in con- - temporary France, Baudelaire I and Moliere.

A keen musician, Professor Bancroft has given both piano and organ recitals. During his time at the University of New England he has organised school French speaking competitions and also a four-month Festival of France in Armidale in 1970.

Professor Bancroft is married with two children.