Edgerton, William Benbow, 1914-

Indiana University Professor of Slavic Languages and Literature.

From the description of Letters, 1938-1959. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 41167692

William B. Edgerton was a professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures (1958-1983) and Chairman of the department (1958-1965, 1969-1973) at Indiana University. His research and teaching interests focused on eighteenth and nineteenth century Russian literature.

From the description of William B. Edgerton papers, 1950-1985, bulk 1960-1980. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 528753177

Born March 11, 1914, in Winton-Salem, North Carolina, William Benbow Edgerton received his B.A. in 1934 from Guilford College, his M.A. from Haverford College in 1935 and his Ph.D. in Russian Literature from Columbia University in 1954.

Edgerton joined the faculty at Indiana University as Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures in 1958. His research and teaching interests focused on eighteenth and nineteenth century Russian literature. From 1958-1965 and then again from 1969-1973, Edgerton served as chair of the department. He retired in 1983.

A prominent figure in Slavic studies, Edgerton was actively involved in the development of the field of Slavic studies beginning in the 1950s. Outside of IU, Edgerton’s involvement in professional organizations included founding and serving as the first president of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies. Additionally, Edgerton served as a consultant for the Ford Foundation. Works attributed to Edgerton include his editorial work on the Columbia Dictionary of Modern European Literature and his translations of Memoirs of peasant tolstoyans in Soviet Russia, and Satirical Stories.

William Edgerton died on February 8, 2004.

From the guide to the William B. Edgerton papers, 1950-1985, bulk 1960-1980, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)