Robert L. Belknap

Robert Lamont Belknap[1] (December 23, 1929 – March 17, 2014) was an American scholar of Russian literature. He was a professor at Columbia University, where he served as interim dean of Columbia College, and director of the Harriman Institute.[2] He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1994.[3]

Robert L. Belknap
Dean of Columbia College
Acting
In office
1976–1977
Preceded byPeter Pouncey
Succeeded byArnold Collery
Personal details
Born(1929-12-23)December 23, 1929
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 17, 2014(2014-03-17) (aged 84)
New York City, New York, U.S.
SpouseCynthia Whittaker
RelationsRobert P. Lamont (grandfather)
ResidenceWilton, Connecticut
EducationPrinceton University (BA)
Columbia University (PhD)
AwardsGuggenheim Fellowship (1994)

Biography

Belknap was born in New York City on December 23, 1929 to lawyer Chauncey Belknap and his wife Dorothy Lamont, daughter of United States Secretary of Commerce and head of the American Iron and Steel Institute Robert P. Lamont.[4] He was educated at the Buckley School, Philips Exeter Academy, and graduated from Princeton University in 1951.[5] At Princeton, he roomed with Allen Dulles and was a member of the Quadrangle Club.[6] He received his M.A. from the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University and Ph.D. from Columbia University following army service. He also studied at the University of Paris and the University of Leningrad.[2]

Belknap began teaching at Columbia in 1956, and served as interim dean in 1975, and director of the Harriman Institute from 1977 to 1980.[2] A scholar of Russian literature, he specialized in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, notably on The Brothers Karamazov.[1][7] His work is considered as one of the best studies on Dostoevsky produced by the present generation of scholars.[8][9]

Belknap served as chairman of the board of the Brearley School.[1][10]

Belknap was married to historian and academic Cynthia Whittaker.[2][11] He was a longtime resident of Wilton, Connecticut, and Cliff Island, Maine.[10] He died on March 17, 2014, in New York City.[1]

References
  1. "ROBERT LAMONT BELKNAP Obituary (2014) New York Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  2. "In Memoriam: Robert L. Belknap '57 SIPA, '59 GSAS, Professor Emeritus | Columbia College Today". www.college.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  3. "Robert L. Belknap". John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  4. Margolick, David (1984-01-26). "CHAUNCEY BELKNAP, LAWYER, DIES; LED ONE OF LARGEST FIRMS IN CITY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  5. "Robert L. Belknap '51". Princeton Alumni Weekly. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  6. "Robert L. Belknap '51". Princeton Alumni Weekly. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  7. "Robert L. Belknap Dissertation Prize | Department of Slavic Languages". slavic.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  8. "Genesis of The Brothers Karamazov". Northwestern University Press. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  9. Dirda, Michael (May 18, 2016). "'Meanwhile, back at the ranch' and other storytelling tricks explained in 'Plots'". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  10. Bulletin, Wilton (2014-04-15). "Robert Lamont Belknap, 84". The Wilton Bulletin. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  11. "Whittaker (Hyla), Cynthia". www.poles.org. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
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