Memorable and Cherished Scholars of Literature

This year has been a year of profound losses for students of a certain vintage (mine, for instance) — and in particular those of us who studied English or comparative literature at Old Nassau. No fewer than three pillars of the humanities have passed this year, leaving the world that much less wise and whimsical.

I consider myself exceedingly fortunate to have studied with Uli Knoepflmacher *61, Hans Aarsleff, and John Fleming *63. In one of the first meetings of English 307 (“Chaucer”), Professor Fleming asked for a volunteer to read aloud the opening lines of the prologue of The Canterbury Tales … in Middle English. I took a stab at it, and Fleming remarked that it was one of the best renditions he’d heard. Whether he was being honest or not, it was enormously supportive. (Professor Aarsleff once remarked about a written assignment I’d turned in, “This is not a very good paper, you know,” in his memorable Norse lilt. Also energizing, in its own way.)

A triple blow, to be sure, but there is great satisfaction in knowing that together those three educators gave the world a combined 285 years —five years more than even Princeton itself! — to be educated and encouraged by them.