Eric died Sept. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis., three days after a heart attack.
He was born March 12, 1936, in Brooklyn. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard in 1957 and earned a Ph.D. in English from Princeton in 1962.
Eric’s scholarly pursuits centered on 18th-century British literary criticism, philosophy, and modernity. He wrote, contributed to, and edited numerous books and articles.
Eric joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1961, where he remained for his entire career. He was appointed the Edgar W. Lacy Professor of English in 1982, when he was also awarded the University Houses professorship. He chaired the English department and served as director of graduate studies. Eric was a vocal supporter of the the Teaching Assistants’ Union.
He was a fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies and of the Institute for Research in the Humanities and was awarded an NEH fellowship.
Eric collected seashells and glass, works by photographers, and silk pocket squares. He loved well-executed puns, mysteries, all manner of puzzles and games in The New York Times, and the opera most of all.
Eric is survived by his wife, Megan; and daughter Caven.
Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.