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Henry Blackwell, who taught English at Boston College for 32 years, died after a lengthy illness on Sept. 28.
The first African-American faculty member in BC’s English Department, Professor Blackwell specialized in African-American literature, American literature, and cultural studies. His scholarly interests included narrative theory, theoretical aspects of religion and literature, conflicts between culture and aesthetics, and blurred genres.
Colleagues recalled Professor Blackwell, a specialist in Flannery O’Connor, as a teacher devoted to his students and whose scholarly papers, delivered at academic conferences around the world, revealed a breadth of intellect and a passion for the subtleties of literature as well as the rigors of ethical debate. Even his introductions for visiting speakers were the brilliantly concise fruits of endless labor, colleagues said, and his letters of recommendations were also perfect little essays of clarity and sense.
Professor Blackwell's colleagues also praised his outreach to AHANA students, and for encouraging them to attend graduate school and pursue teaching careers. Many did, and kept in touch with Professor Blackwell about their career paths and achievements.
Professor Blackwell described teaching as a "constant challenge" that he addressed with a combination of engagement, care and discipline, setting the highest standards for his students. "I bully and cajole them into attempting quality work, most of them come around,” he wrote. “I'd like to be remembered for the time and attention I give to them."
One student wrote to him: "I was always amazed at your courage and integrity in facilitating the process of consciousness-raising while teaching the best and most challenging course I have taken at Boston College. You deserve an award."
During his recent illness, a student brought him a paper she had written and asked him to correct it. He returned it to her with many minuscule corrections, advising her to "tighten-up if you want to pass this course." She received an “A” on the paper.
Born in 1936 in Baltimore, Professor Blackwell entered college at age 15 — having skipped several grades — but dropped out after two years. He entered the working world, started a family, and then finished his undergraduate degree by attending night school at Morgan State University. He earned a Woodrow Wilson Scholarship to the University of Chicago, where he received his doctoral degree in 1976.
Professor Blackwell taught English at the University of Connecticut before joining the faculty at BC. He retired from the University in 2010.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Carol D. Blackwell; his son Henry A. Blackwell Jr. and daughter Alison Blackwell Byrd, from a previous marriage; his stepdaughter Ann Goldstone; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and six siblings.
A campus memorial service for Professor Blackwell will be held on Nov. 18, at 10:30 a.m. in Gasson 305.