Robert G. Blake, who held the William S. Long professorship for 40 years, died on July 24.
Robert G. Blake, who was a member of Elon’s English faculty for 40 years and held the title of William S. Long Professor until his retirement in 2008, died July 24, 2015.
Blake was a 1956 graduate with honors from Harvard College and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his master’s degree in 1959 and his doctorate in 1967 from Duke University.
Blake was an active scholar and served as chair of Elon’s English department and a member of the curriculum committee from 1968 to 1977. He also served as director of English studies in London on five separate occasions. He published many academic articles over the years and continued to write after his retirement.
Prior to joining the Elon faculty, Blake taught English at Morris Harvey College in Charleston, West Virginia, and at Stetson College in Deland, Florida.
Blake is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carol Blake; a son, Jonathan, and his wife Polly; a daughter, Jennifer Boggs, and her husband Keith; two grandchildren, Sabrina and Sydney Thornton; and two great grandsons, Samson and Solomon.
A private memorial service will be held at the First Reformed United Church of Christ. At other times, the family will be at the residence. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Rich and Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington, N.C., is handling arrangements.