Noted British historian & VS Naipaul biographer Patrick French passes away at 57

British writer, historian, and academician Patrick French died in London on Thursday after battling cancer for four years , his family said. French, best known for his biography of VS Naipaul, 'The World Is What It Is', and 'India: A Portrait', died at 8 am (London time), his wife, Meru Gokhale, said.

"At 8.10 am this morning my beloved husband Patrick French passed away in London after a brave battle with cancer. He was an exceptional father, friend, husband, teacher, and mentor to many. His kindness and love will stay with us forever. He went in peace, without suffering," Gokhale, former publisher at the Penguin Press Group, said.

Among those who sent in their tributes were Congress MP and author Shashi Tharoor, and historians William Dalrymple and Ramachandra Guha.