Francis Berry, the poet and dramatist, has died in England at the age of 91.

Prof. Berry was a teacher of English and English literature at St Edward's College during the war years (1943-1946) and will be remembered by many friends and Old Edwardians.

He graduated from the University of London and obtained a lectureship in English at the University of Sheffield. He was promoted to professorship. In 1960 he obtained his MA from the University of Exeter. Prof. Berry also taught at the Royal Holloway College of the University of London and retired as professor emeritus.

Widely travelled, Prof. Berry was a poet of distinction and his better known works include Gospel Of Fire, Snake In the Moon and Galloping Centaur. The Centaur includes poems written while in Malta: Malta 1942, Malta Elegy, Florence and A Day In Summer.

Prof. Berry was last in Malta, accompanied by his son Scyld, in April last year and was present at the launch of his Ballad The Bride of Mosta, which was edited, with an introduction, by John Manduca. The publication was sponsored by the Farsons Foundation and printed by PEG Ltd.

A requiem Mass, celebrated by Mgr Mifsud Montanaro, will be held at St Edward's College tomorrow at 9 a.m.

In England, the funeral will be held at Winchester Cathedral, Lady Chapel on Monday.

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