M.H. Abrams | Anthology editor, 102
M.H. Abrams, 102, an esteemed critic, teacher, and tastemaker who helped shape the modern literary canon as founding editor of the Norton Anthology of English Literature and joined the elite himself by writing one of the 20th century's most acclaimed works of criticism, has died.
M.H. Abrams, 102, an esteemed critic, teacher, and tastemaker who helped shape the modern literary canon as founding editor of the Norton Anthology of English Literature and joined the elite himself by writing one of the 20th century's most acclaimed works of criticism, has died.
His death was confirmed Wednesday by David J. Skorton, Cornell University president. According to the website of the university, where he was a longtime member of the English department, Mr. Abrams died Tuesday at a retirement community. No cause of death was given.
While at Cornell in the 1950s, Mr. Abrams was asked by publisher W.W. Norton to lead a team of editors compiling excerpts of vital English works. The first edition of the Norton Anthology came out in 1962 and was an immediate success. Mr. Abrams stayed on through seven editions, into his 80s, as the book became required reading - or perusing - for millions of college students.
Mr. Abrams also wrote several books. In July 2012, the essay collection The Fourth Dimension of a Poem was published to mark his 100th birthday. In July 2014, he received a National Arts Medal. - AP