In Memoriam: William Louis Howarth

Published June 29, 2023

Photo: Denise Applewhite, Princeton University

William Louis Howarth, an English professor who specialized in American literature of the 19th and 20th centuries, died June 6 at age 82. Howarth taught at the University for more than 50 years, including the decade after he transferred to emeritus status in 2008. He served as editor-in-chief of The Writings of Henry D. Thoreau, wrote six books of his own, reported on literary America for the National Geographic Society, and advised hundreds of senior theses and dissertations. Howarth helped found the African American studies program and the Princeton Environmental Institute and was a pioneer in humanities computing. In 2009, he received the Award for Excellence in Alumni Education.

Published in the July 2023 Issue

In Memoriam

1 Response

Peter E. Braveman ’72

1 Year Ago

Lifelong Mentorship

I was saddened to learn of Professor Will Howarth’s death (On the Campus, July/August issue) from his wife, Anne Matthews *81. Will was my junior paper and senior thesis adviser and a lifelong mentor and North Star. He shepherded me through my thesis about the nonfiction works of John McPhee ’53 and insisted on more clarity in my writing. He took an interest in my post-graduate education, family life, and career. The references that he wrote on my behalf (which he recently shared with me) testify that he was an acute observer. In fact, he knew me better than I knew myself at 20 and 21. I will miss our visits and count myself as unusually fortunate to have had the opportunity to have been taught by a great educator and human being.