Letter: Sir Frank Kermode obituary

Francis Mulhern writes: Sir Frank Kermode (obituary, 19 August) described himself as "a university teacher of English". He supervised my doctoral research at Cambridge in the mid-70s with exemplary care and tact. He kept me working; responded promptly and constructively to my draft chapters; dealt with routine university paperwork by return of post, whatever the time of year; and when I got in trouble, he took action on my behalf. He did all this as a matter of basic professional obligation, for a project with which he had no special sympathy and a student who, as he was aware, had begun his career in the English faculty by requesting a change of supervisor. I have seldom had such cause to be grateful for not getting my own way.