Obituary: Frances Lincoln

Frances Lincoln

Independent publisher

1945 –2001

Words were Frances Lincoln’s life. As a publisher, as an academic, as a bibliophile, Frances loved words; and yet she used them sparingly. She had this rare and generous quality – Frances listened more than she spoke. How embarrassed she would have been by the many glowing words that have been used to pay her tribute! A glance at any Frances Lincoln catalogue will show the rich and varied list she built from almost nothing – superb gardening, interior design and children’s books reflect just a few of her passions. What was more extraordinary was that Frances achieved this by treating people so well; she was unfailingly kind and philanthropic. Perhaps the most poignant moment at her memorial service was the final meditation, in which so many of us who use words for a living, were united in silence – in the end, Frances was loved more than words can say.