Slusser, Jean Paul, 1886-

Jean Paul Slusser was born December 15, 1886 in Wauseon, Ohio. He received his A.B. degree from the University of Michigan in 1909 and his A.M. in 1911. He also studied at the University of Munich (1909-1910), the Museum of Fine Arts School in Boston (1913-1915), the Art Students League of New York (summers 1914-1917), and the Hans Hofmann Schule in Munich (1924-1925).

Slusser taught drawing, painting, and architecture during summers at the University of Michigan (1921, 1922, 1925-1926). In 1927 he was appointed assistant professor of painting and drawing. Prior to coming to the University of Michigan on a permanent basis, Slusser was art critic for the Boston Herald (1913-1915), a free lance painter and designer in New York City (1919-1921) and assistant art critic for the New York Herald (1921-1923).

In 1936, Slusser was promoted to associate professor and then in 1944 to full professor. In addition, in 1946, he was named acting director of the University of Michigan Art Museum. In 1947, he was named director, serving until his retirement in 1957. He remained active reviewing art exhibitions for the Ann Arbor News, 1963-1978.

Not only a teacher, Slusser was also an accomplished painter whose works were exhibited and widely collected. He won many prizes for his work and was the recipient of many awards. Professor Slusser died in May 1981.

From the guide to the Jean Paul Slusser papers, 1905-1978, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)