In Memory of Geoff Davis

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the unexpected death of our dear colleague Geoff Davis, who chaired EACLALS [European Association for Literature and Languages] from 2002 until 2014. (In the years in-between 2008–2011, he presided over ACLALS.) All who attended academic gatherings during these periods, or in the previous decades, when he was a loyal and enthusiastic participant, will have had the chance to benefit from his knowledge in a number of areas, notably African literatures, but also from his cheerful generosity, his keen welcoming of young members into the field and his endless energy and creativity. Geoff’s vast contribution to our studies is also found in his own publications and through his editing of journals such as Matatu, and of the critical series “Cross/Cultures. Readings in the Post/Colonial Literatures and Cultures in English,” which he co-edited with Gordon Collier from 1990 and which holds such significant work for postcolonial studies. As members of the present EACLALS Board, we have shared many conferences, happy moments and worries with Geoff, and we are in shock at the news that this will not continue to be so. At this sad moment, we can only thank him publicly and most sincerely for his work and feel grateful that we shared interests and some part of his life with him. We will be dedicating a place in the EACLALS webpage to tributes to Geoff, as a much-deserved homage to an essential member. In grief, and in fond memory of Geoff and his multiple achievements.