French Lit Expert Dies

Professor of French Literature Emeritus Rene Jasinski, a noted expert on French writings of the 17th and 19th centuries and a prolific author, died Saturday following a brief illness, according to a statement issued by the Harvard News Office yesterday

Jasinski may have been best known for his "Histoire de la Litterature Francaise," published in 1966, which became "a bible for all graduate students in French literature." Dillon Professor of the Civilization of France Emeritus Laurence Wylie, a former colleague of Jasinsky, said yesterday

Wylie added that some of Jasinski's literary theories later lost popularity in academic circles. Jasinski spent the final years of his life in Cambridge and "lived the life of a recluse," Wylie said.

Born in France, Jasinski served as an artillery officer in both world wars and was an officer of the French Legion of Honor, the News Office statement said.

Jasinski was co-editor of the oldest and most famous review of French literary history. "Revue d'Histoire litteraire de la France," from 1947 to 1953.

Jasinski received the doctor of letters degree from the University of Paris in 1929 and taught at both the University of Like and the Sorbonne before coming to Harvard in 1953. He retired from teaching in 1965

A longtime resident of Cambridge. Jasinski continued writing following his retirement. He is survived by his wife Beatrice.