SHEILA GAUDON

SHEILA GAUDON, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, emerita, passed away Feb. 19, 2017, at the age of 83. Born in Liverpool, England, she received a B.A. from Manchester University, and a Docteur de l’Université des Sciences humaines de Strasbourg. She joined the Wesleyan faculty in 1970 and taught French literature courses in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, serving as director of the Wesleyan Program in Paris several times and as department chair. An active scholar whose research focused on Victor Hugo, she worked extensively with the National Scientific Research Centre (CNRS) in Paris over many years, including a three-year appointment as “Chargée de recherches” to prepare the first volumes of Victor Hugo’s family correspondence. In 1993 she retired to Paris, speaking at colloquia around Europe on subjects concerning Hugo. She will be remembered by her colleagues for the steady leadership she provided to the department. Sheila’s friend and colleague, Antonio Gonzalez, Professor of Spanish, said, “Those who were close to her will remember her as well as a remarkable cook, an unsurpassed lover of the stage, and a caring and loyal friend.” She is survived by her husband, Jean Gaudon, who lives in Paris.