Thomas McCormick, professor emeritus of art at Wheaton College, died peacefully at home April 2, 2019. He was 93.

He was a medic in the Army from 1944 to 1946 in the European Theater. After seeing the grand buildings and monuments of Europe, he was inspired to become an art historian. Raised in Syracuse, N.Y., McCormick earned a bachelor’s degree in 1949 and then a master’s degree from Syracuse University. In 1953, he received an MFA degree in art from Princeton. He completed his Princeton Ph.D. in art in 1971.

McCormick’s first position was at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. His career included teaching at Vassar College, where he was also director of the art gallery; Williams College; the University of Vermont, where he was also director of the Fleming Museum; and Smith College.

At Wheaton, McCormick was chair of the art department and, at times, the Wright-Shippee Professor of Art and the A. Howard Meneely Professor. He was best known for his work and publications on Charles-Louis Clérisseau, a French architect and artist who influenced Thomas Jefferson. He lectured internationally.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret; two daughters, including Martha Notaras ’82; and three grandchildren including Charlotte Notaras ’19.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.

Class Year: 
Graduate Class of 1971