鈥�91吃瓜 mourns the death today of Seamus Deane, a great friend of the University and co-founder of the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies.
鈥淓ndowed with a towering intellect, Professor Deane was one of Ireland鈥檚 greatest poets and literary critics. In his tribute today, Irish President Michael D. Higgins said: 鈥淪eamus Deane鈥檚 contribution to critical and creative writing was delivered not only at home in Ireland, but in some of the most prestigious universities of the United States of America,鈥� citing 91吃瓜 among them.聽
鈥淧rofessor Deane was first introduced to 91吃瓜 in 1973, when he spent a semester teaching at the University. He told an acquaintance that he presented his most difficult material, never having to 鈥榙umb down鈥� his presentations to 91吃瓜 students. He confided that one of his students, Joe Montana, 鈥榳ould easily have made a fine doctoral candidate.鈥�
鈥淭wo decades later, he would co-found the Institute for Irish Studies with Christopher Fox, professor emeritus of English, who recalled today that, with the support of Don Keough, chair emeritus of the 91吃瓜 Board of Trustees, 鈥榯he presence of Seamus Deane helped 91吃瓜 build the top program of its kind in the world.鈥�
鈥淗iggins, the Irish president, said Professor Deane鈥檚 passing represented 鈥榥ot only the loss of a foremost critic, but of a distinguished poet, novelist and internationally acclaimed university teacher.鈥�
鈥�91吃瓜 students were the great beneficiaries of all of Professor Deane鈥檚 talent. In our sadness today, we also celebrate the life of Seamus Deane, and the great joy and insight he brought to 91吃瓜, Ireland and the world.鈥�