The book which Professor Dana Rouillard undertook still lives! A committee has been struck to continue and complete Dana’s work. The committee is attempting to emulate the liveliness of Dana’s completed chapters as it builds on his considerable research.
(Opening paragraph of the notice that appeared in the Department of French News introducing the project in November 1992.)
For many of us – family, friends, and colleagues – the publication of this history of the Department of French is a source of particular pleasure. We had all followed with keen interest the lively story taking shape in the inimitable style of Dana Rouillard as he diligently researched, distilled, and composed the account of those early years. Painstakingly he pursued his research for the history during the winter months of his retirement without benefit of secretary or word processor. Most of the actual writing was done during summer evenings on his Georgian Bay island, where he battled with a small, derelict typewriter by the smoky light of two antique kerosene lamps before a smouldering wood fire. Harriet was usually seated on the other side of the table, acting as editor and proofreader as each page came off the press.
Many a mosquito came to a bloody end there on the nightly pages of manuscript!
Dana enjoyed creating those chapters of the history, and they have a lively style and spirit hard to resist. In the words of Professor W.S. Rogers at the memorial service for Dana in the fall of 1991:
Dana Rouillard had an innate sense of style, a certain elegance and dash which was evident in all he did. Whether it was introducing or thanking a speaker, serving a drink or hosting a dinner party, it was always done with panache. His literary style was as multi-faceted as the man himself.
It was a disappointment for both Harriet and Dana that the pace of the history’s progress was slowed down by her failing health. Even after her death Dana always hoped to be able to finish the history as they had planned. Now at last the story has been completed, with the collaboration of some of the colleagues for whom Dana had such a high regard. In the main, they have followed the detailed plan for the history that he had originally mapped out.
Harriet and Dana worked together for half a century to enrich and enliven the life and spirit of the French Department. They agreed years ago that funds from the Harriet and Dana Rouillard Endowment, to which many friends had contributed, should be used to defray the costs of publication of this volume when it was completed, and so it has their warm endorsement.
Sincere appreciation should go to Professor Paul Perron, chair of the Department of French at the University of Toronto, for his initiative in organizing the committee to complete the project. Warm thanks should go also to Professor Cam Tolton, the project manager, who inspired a loyal band of colleagues to long hours of research and writing to bring these chapters to vibrant life. This volume is a tribute not only to Dana but to the whole Department of French.
Kay Riddell Rouillard
May 1993