It is with regret that we have learned of the death of Emeritus Professor Francis William (Bill) Kent on 30th August 2010. Professor Kent was the Founding Director of Monash University Prato Centre (2000-2004) and then Professor of History and Australian Professorial Fellow at the School of Historical Studies, Monash University. Bill was one of the great Italian Renaissance historians, and a world authority on Lorenzo the Magnificent. He was a great supporter of art history and a friend to art historians.
A Bill Kent Foundation has been established to honour his memory. Details can be found to the following website: http://www.monash.edu.au/giving/news/billkent.html
I was extremely fortunate to have studied European History in 1973 and Renaissance Florentine History in 1975 under Bill Kent in 1975. He was a humble yet inspirational lecturer. I remember have a tutorial after a lecture and he would ask ‘was that ok?’ in his usual sincere and innocent way. We as students had just sat in awe of him during his lecture (without any notes) of some time in Florence’s Renaissance history period. He integrated his fancinating lectures with indepth knowledge of the art and architecture of the time that were symbols of such an historical era. He engaged us in Italian culture by setting up an Italian culture group – my first (and definitely not last) time of experiencing italian wine and food. As a university lecturer myself of some 25 years now, I know that Bill has had an enormous influence on ‘how’ I teach and my relationship with my students. With best wises to his family and friends. Deb Stewart (Victoria University).