James Benjamin Townsend ’40

RETIRED PROFESSOR of English literature at SUNY-Buffalo Ben Townsend died Dec. 13, 1993. A multifaceted scholar, Ben was published widely on art

and literary topics, including JOHN DAVIDSON, POET OF ARMAGEDDON, and CHARLES BURCHFIELD'S JOURNALS: THE POETRY OF PLACE. He was a former art critic for the BUFFALO EVENING NEWS. Prior to joining SUNYBuffalo in 1957, Ben received his M.A. from Harvard and his Ph.D. from Yale; served with the O.S.S. in WWII, and taught at a number of wellknown institutions. In 195455, he was a visiting fellow of the department of art and architecture at Princeton. He was vicechairman of the SUNY-Buffalo English department and director of arts in the humanities. Ben prepared at Andover, and majored in English and French. He graduated with high honors, was Phi Beta Kappa, and was a member of Elm Club.

Ben is survived by his widow, Jeanette; daughters Josephine Kaestner and Clarissa; sons Jackson and Rhys; and numerous grandchildren. The class extends its sincere sympathy to all.

Ben achieved farreaching success in the domain of literature, art, and education, but notwithstandIng, remained one who said he took "more pride in the contributions made by my students."

The Class of 1940