I was saddened to learn today of the passing of George McFarland. Mr. McFarland was the catalyst for my interest in the life and work of Sally James Farnham. His article in the St. Lawrence Historical Associations Quarterly peaked and held my interest and I will be forever indebted to him for it. William Fox, the President of St. Lawrence University, penned the following: I wish to share with you the news that a legend among St. Lawrence faculty emeriti has died. Described by one colleague as “well-educated, cultivated, liberal-minded, and compassionate,” Craig Professor Emeritus of English George McFarland helped build and lead a stellar English department, one whose curriculum and scholarship instilled in me my own devotion to literature and poetry. A 1946 graduate of Wesleyan University, George earned his master’s degree from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the St. Lawrence faculty in 1952 and taught courses in the English Romantic poets and English literature surveys. He was the author of numerous scholarly publications, particularly on Julius Charles Hare, a 19th century scholar, critic, and cleric. George spent a sabbatical year, after his promotion to professor in 1967, at Cambridge University studying his subject. Ever the scholar, after retirement in 1986, he served as co-editor of The Quarterly of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association and undertook a study of the life and work of sculptor Sally James Farnham, who was encouraged in her career by Frederic Remington. While chairing the formidable English department for over a decade, George also served the University as a Faculty Delegate to the Board of Trustees. He advised trustees, as they were choosing the next chair of the board to be sure that its next leader “makes it easy, desirable, and worthwhile for others to do their very best,” wise counsel that gave testimony to his own skills as a mentor. Upon his retirement, his former students expressed their admiration by creating a book fund in his name at Owen D. Young Library. Bruce Weiner, who succeeded George as chair of English, recalls inviting former students to submit letters in celebration of George’s career. Bruce said “I was amazed at the number of letters we received and the heartfelt accounts that students gave of George’s teaching and his impact upon their education and lives.” His colleague Bob DeGraaff added “George was one of the most intelligent and articulate people I have known. I remember many times walking down the halls of Richardson and passing a room where he was teaching….George didn’t “lecture” in the old style, but he spoke to a class conversationally, and without any notes; the remarkable thing was that he spoke in wonderfully crafted sentences, filled with insights.” I know you join Lynn and me in expressing deepest sympathies to George’s wife Janet ’64, their children, grandchildren, and all who care for the McFarland family. When service arrangements are planned, we will share that information. I invite you to post your tributes to George McFarland on our Memorial web site.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 17:46:49 +0000