Talk:Albert Hugh Smith

His loveability

We currently say:

"He was described in his obituary in the Times as "a most lovable character who appeared to be of more than human stature. He could be maddening alike in matters of scholarship and in personal relations, though one's irritation never lasted long". Raymond Quirk (as RQ) in a follow-up letter referred particularly to his "hospitality and loyalty"."

This paints him as basically a loveable character with the occasional irritating quirk. Which is quite an OK picture of him.

I'd never heard of him till I read a reference to him in a review of Andrew Riemer's "Sandstone Gothic: Confessions of an Accidental Academic", in which Riemer is quoted as describing A H Smith as "... a dreadful individual ... One of the most unpleasant people I have ever known". And later on the reviewer describes Riemer as "... the PhD student in London who loathed Hugh Smith...". These give quite a different picture of his loveability. -- JackofOz (talk) 02:39, 9 September 2008 (UTC)

Interesting point - how can one balance consensus as in the Times, and comment by his most illustrious student with that of the one obviously disgruntled student whose "irritation" did last? Motmit (talk) 20:38, 9 September 2008 (UTC)

And I don't know if Randolph Quirk was irritating, as the pun implies!!Motmit (talk) 20:40, 9 September 2008 (UTC)