It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Carl W. Conrad, Professor Emeritus of Classics at Washington University in St. Louis, on February 20, 2025. A distinguished scholar and dedicated educator, Professor Conrad's contributions to the fields of Greek and Latin languages, literature, and biblical studies have left an indelible mark on academia and the broader community.
Born in Washington, D.C., in 1934, Professor Conrad's early years were spent near the University of Maryland before his family relocated to New Orleans in 1941. There, he attended public schools and graduated from Fortier High School in 1952. He pursued higher education at Tulane University, earning a B.A. in History in 1955 and an M.A. in Classics in 1956. His academic journey continued with a Fulbright scholarship at the University of Munich in 1956-57 and culminated in a Ph.D. in Classical Philology from Harvard University in 1964.
Professor Conrad dedicated four decades (1961-2001) to teaching at Washington University in St. Louis. His scholarly interests encompassed Greek tragedy, Latin poetry, and the history of ideas in the Greco-Roman-Hellenistic tradition. In his later years, he focused on the Hellenistic world and the emergence of New Testament documents, particularly the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of Mark.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Professor Conrad was an active contributor to the "B-Greek" internet forum, engaging with scholars and enthusiasts on topics related to the Greek language and biblical texts. His colleagues and students remember him as a mentor who encouraged rigorous study and critical thinking. One tribute notes, "He was a mentor and a friend. He encouraged me in studying Greek, but he also challenged, criticized, and critiqued."
In retirement, Professor Conrad and his wife resided in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where they immersed themselves in nature, tending to their 13-acre property and enjoying the tranquility of the South Toe River. Despite stepping back from formal teaching, his passion for learning and engagement with the academic community remained undiminished.
Professor Conrad's legacy is one of intellectual curiosity, dedication to education, and a profound impact on the study of classical languages and biblical texts. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless students whose lives he touched.
