William Weaver, 90, Revered Italian-To-English Translator

“Before him, the professional translator was considered little better than a superior sort of typist. Weaver helped to bring the art of translation out of obscurity and give it a literary credence and recognition. His versions of Italo Calvino and Umberto Eco are models of exactitude and seamless craft.” (Eco said Weaver’s translation of The Name of the Rose was better than the original.)