William French, long-time Globe and Mail literary critic, dead at 84

William French, literary editor and journalist at The Globe and Mail for 42 years, died  last Tuesday.
French shaped Canada's literary landscape from 1960 to 1990 as the most influential book columnist of his time, recognized by two National Newspaper Awards (1977 and 1978). For 28 years he taught editorial and critical writing at Ryerson University's School of Journalism and did much work for the Canada Council and CBC.
Link to paid obit.