Professor Seamus Deane: In Memoriam

Seamus Deane (9 February 1940-12 May 2021), Professor of English and the Donald and Marilyn Keough Professor of Irish Studies Emeritus, was one of Ireland’s foremost writers and critics, best-known for his award-winning autobiographical novel Reading in the Dark and the landmark Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing.

When long-time benefactors to Notre Dame Donald and Marilyn Keough gave a generous endowment to the University to establish an Irish Studies program, they also endowed a chair—initially held by Professor Deane—who came from Ireland to Notre Dame in 1993 to join English faculty member Christopher Fox. This was the beginning of Notre Dame's program in Irish studies.

Statement of Notre Dame President the Reverend John I. Jenkins, CSC, on the death of Seamus Deane.

In these pages, we will collect reflections on the life and legacy of Seamus Deane by our faculty fellows and by others in the world of Irish studies who knew Professor Deane or were influenced by his scholarship and writing.