The Department of Classics has lost a devoted supporter and friend. We mourn the passing of Penelope Biggs, who together with her husband John created our annual Biggs Family Residency in Classics and established our John and Penelope Biggs Distinguished Professorship.
Penelope Biggs graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Classics from Radcliffe College, where she first met John while he was a student at Harvard. She earned a Master’s degree (1968) and then a Ph.D. (1974) in Comparative Literature from Washington University, taking many courses in Classics. She joined the faculty of Lindenwood College (now University) as an Assistant Professor of Literature. Later, she taught Latin at the high school now known as Mary Institute Country Day School. Her writings on classical and post-classical literature have been published in scholarly journals.
The loving partnership of John and Penelope, their devotion to their children and grandchildren, their modeling of service, charitable giving, and lifelong learning, their love of adventure, and their steadfast support for academics at Washington University are all inspirational. Aware of the couple’s huge impact on our own work, we will celebrate Penelope’s life and contributions in events this year, including the 2023 Biggs Family Residency with Victor Caston. We will post information about these events as plans develop.
For Penelope's obituary and information about her memorial service on November 16, visit this link.
