Theodore R. Weiss, 86; Edited Quarterly Review of Literature

Theodore R. Weiss, 86, a longtime professor at Princeton University who was known for editing the Quarterly Review of Literature, died April 15 in Princeton, N.J., after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, a university spokeswoman said.

For nearly 60 years, Weiss and his wife, Renee, provided a showcase for emerging writers with the review, which they founded in 1943. Weiss handled the editing, while his wife managed the business side.

The review published works by John Ashbery and Ted Hughes before they won wider acclaim, and it also featured famous poets such as William Carlos Williams, Wallace Stevens and e.e. cummings.

Weiss was the author of books of poetry, literary criticism and essays, including “The Catch,” “Gunsight” and “From Princeton One Autumn Afternoon.”

He arrived at Princeton in 1966 as the poet-in-residence. Two years later, he was appointed professor of English and creative writing. He was named the William and Anne S. Paton Foundation Professor of Ancient and Modern Literature in 1977.

He retired in 1987 but continued to publish until recently.

The Reading, Pa., native received a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College and a master’s from Columbia.