Seen on various lists (from the Daily Hampshire Gazette):
Elizabeth Lyding Will, Emeritus Professor of Classics at the
University of Massachusetts and Amherst College, died peacefully on
Aug. 19, 2009, at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst. She was 85
years old.
Considered the world authority on the ancient Roman shipping
containers called amphoras, Professor Will had a long and
distinguished academic career and was working up to the end of her
life on several forthcoming volumes of scholarship. She received a
bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a
master’s and doctoral degree from Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
After completing her dissertation on “Homeric Enjambement” in 1949,
Professor Will spent a year as the Thomas Day Seymour Fellow at the
American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Greece. It was there
where she discovered the work that would consume her for the rest of
her life.
Basing her research on the precisely dated collection of Roman
amphoras at the Athenian Agora, Professor Will came to see the
shipping containers as essential sources of knowledge about the
economic and social history of the Roman World. Her studies were used
by many scholars to help date and interpret Roman shipwrecks, from
which amphoras remain the most numerous finds. In addition to the
Agora collection, she also studied a variety of amphora collections in
Greece, Egypt, Italy, England, France, Spain, Germany, Croatia,
Turkey, the Canary Islands, and India. Among her many publications
were two co-authored books, “L’Ilot de la Maison des Comediens,” and
“The Roman Port and Fishery of Cosa.” Professor Will also joined the
governing board of the Archaeological Association of America, as well
as the local branch of the Association in Western Massachusetts, for
which she was president for many years. She also played an active role
in other local organizations, including as president of the Pioneer
Valley Classical Association and as president and trustee of the
Amherst Academy.
Alongside her scholarly achievements, Professor Will was a much
beloved teacher to her students around the world, who revered her for
her intelligence, sense of humor, and elegance. Kind and gracious, she
encouraged and supported many students to pursue careers in teaching
and scholarship. She was a tireless advocate for women’s education and
for the professional advancement of women. At home, she enjoyed above
all being surrounded by family, friends, and her favorite dogs, Gossie
and Brigitte.
She is survived by her loving children, Alex and his wife Judy and
Barbara and her husband Michael; a grandson, William; a step-
granddaughter, Megan; and step-great-grandson, Owen.
A memorial service will be held in Amherst Oct. 11 at the Amherst
Women’s Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dakin
Animal Shelter, 163 Montague Road, Leverett, MA 01054.
rogueclassicism 