Robert A. Maguire

[Cathy Popkin]

Columbia University’s Department of Slavic Languages and 
Literatures is sad to announce the death, on July 8, 2005, in New York 
City, of Robert A. Maguire, Professor Emeritus of Russian and the former 
Boris Bakhmeteff Professor of Russian and East European Studies.

 Even in his declining health, Bob continued to do what he loved to 
do, writing about and translating the great works of Russian literature.  
He died just days after completing his new translation of The Possessed, 
to be published by Penguin Books, and just months after the appearance of 
his brand new translation of Dead Souls.

 Applied to most people, “towering figure” is a cliché, but Bob’s 
contributions to the field of Slavic literature—from his timeless Red 
Virgin Soil to his masterful Exploring Gogol—warrant that and more.  Bob’s 
many friends will remember his immense (but lightly worn) erudition, his 
high standards, his luminous prose, his virtuosity as a violist, his 
devotion to his beliefs, his generous heart, and his unmistakable, 
irascible wit.  We in Columbia’s Slavic Department were lucky: Bob warmed 
us with his friendship and inspired us by his example.  We will miss him 
terribly.

 There will be a memorial service at Columbia in September.  The 
details will be provided as soon as the date is set.

Cathy Popkin
Chair
Department of Slavic Languages
Columbia University

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