From the Department Chair at Duke University:
Professor Francis Newton, passed away [...] Friday, February 14. As many of you know, Francis joined the department in 1967. He taught for us for over thirty years and chaired the department three times. A classicist with a research focus in western manuscripts, Francis went on to become one of the world’s leading experts in Beneventan (Central and Southern Italian) script and book culture. He retired in 1998 but continued to research, publish, and mentor students. Two of his most recent articles came out in 2023!
I am so glad that Francis was able to attend TollyFest and our Centennial celebration last November. Many of you newer to the department got a chance to meet him, and to hear some of his stories during our Emeriti Panel on the Saturday. He was a wonderful colleague – not just a brilliant and collegial scholar but a kind and generous friend. He will be greatly missed. If you have any memories you’d like to share about Francis, I would love to include them in a tribute to him on our website. I’ve also asked the deans if it might be possible to ring the bells for him on West Campus in the coming week. I’ll let you know if/when that is going to happen.
In sadness, and wishing you all peace,
Clare
N.B. The Department will share any updates depending upon the wishes of the family.