Howard S. Merritt *58

Howard S. Merritt, a longtime professor of art at the University of Rochester, died peacefully June 25, 2007, at the age of 92.

Merritt earned a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and an MFA from Princeton in 1942 before serving in the Army from 1942 to 1945. Returning to Princeton, he worked on his Ph.D. from 1945 to 1946. However, in 1946, before its completion, he accepted an assistant professorship at the University of Rochester.

Trained in the history of early 16th-century Italian painting before he joined Rochester, his scholarship grew to include 19th-century American landscape painting, especially the art of the Hudson River School and its founder, Thomas Cole. In 1958, Merritt completed his Princeton Ph.D. and was promoted to associate professor. He became a full professor in 1963, and retired in 1976.

Merritt's interest in rare books and prints led him, along with his wife, to a second career as a successful antiques dealer and collector. His personality and interests made him good company to the end.

Merritt was predeceased by Florence, his wife of 61 years, in 2002. He is survived by four children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.