Charles E. Townsend In Memoriam

Abstract

Charles E. Townsend (1932–2015) was an exceptional scholar, a dedicated teacher, and a loyal friend, who we will dearly miss.

Townsend the Scholar

Townsend’s career as a Slavist began when he was drafted and spent a year at the Army Language School in Monterey, California, studying Russian. Upon his release from the Army, Charlie enrolled in graduate studies at Harvard, where he earned his PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures in 1962. From Harvard, Townsend moved on to Princeton, where he served as Chair of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures for 32 years.