Faculty
In Memoriam: Alan Rudrum, professor emeritus
It is with great sadness that Simon Fraser University’s Department of English shares the news of the passing of professor emeritus Alan Rudrum on April 19th, 2024.
Professor Rudrum taught English and Welsh literature at SFU from 1969 to 1998. He had a particular interest in 17th-century poets John Milton and Henry Vaughan, publishing many books and articles on their work.
Rudrum was born on November 30th, 1932, in Great Yarmouth on the east coast of England*. He completed his post-secondary education at King’s College, University of London and ultimately graduated with a PhD in English from the University of Nottingham. Prior to teaching at SFU, he taught in the English departments of the University of Adelaide, South Australia, Queen’s University, Belfast, the University of California, and Kent State University, Ohio.
In addition to his teaching and writing, Rudrum was a founding member of Connotations: A Journal for Critical Debate, which focuses on Middle English literature to the present literary era. He also had visiting fellowships at Oxford, as well as many other academic honours.
SFU English offers its condolences to the Rudrum family. He is deeply missed by his wife, June Sturrock, also an SFU English professor emeritus, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
His memorial service will be held on May 18th at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Michael & All Angels (608 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna B.C.). A webcast option is also available. Learn more here.
If you would like to share a note of condolence, please email: englcmns@sfu.ca
*From the Alan William Rudrum Obituary
Messages of Condolence
What a Legend
…Alan was my professor for 416 and supervised a directed reading for me; he was my favorite! That fly-fishing vest he would wear, his combative questioning, his love for Milton & Henry Vaughan. As a professor, I carry a little bit of Alan into the lecture hall with me every day.
I wish I had known him post undergrad. As the years pass, and we lose more of the fine faculty who shaped my academic disposition at SFU, I am increasingly aware of how fortunate I was to have been taught by them; I can still conjure up their voices echoing throughout the 5th floor of the AQ.
Kind regards,
Shane Goodridge (BA 97), PhD
Professor: American Education: History & Policy, University of California, Irvine, School of Education
My thoughts on Alan:
When I was a brand new assistant professor at SFU, way back in 1989, Alan Rudrum was one of the most welcoming members of the English Department. He had me and wife over for dinner; he introduced me to local scholars in my field; he helped me get involved with the regional Renaissance studies society. At the same time, he set the bar for academic excellence. Alan was a consummate scholar: precise, rigorous, and seemingly omniscient. He will be missed. Many condolences to June and Alan's family.
Paul Budra
Professor, Department of English, Simon Fraser University
Alan Rudrum Condolence
I learn with much sadness of Dr. Rudrum's death: we have lost a scholar of the first order. I most particularly recall studying while in Japan his Oxford two-volume "The Works of Thomas Vaughan" and through the rich and abundant footnotes experiencing a living dialogue between two truly great minds. My condolences to Dr. Sturrock, and may Dr. Rudrum Rest in Peace.
Sincerely,
Stephen Ogden