Notice regarding Robert Purks Maccubbin
Provost Peggy Agouris sent the following message to the campus community Nov. 18, 2020. - Ed.
Dear Colleagues,
Emeritus Professor Robert (Bob) Purks Maccubbin passed away on November 3, 2020 in Williamsburg. Professor Maccubbin was born in Baltimore, 玛丽land on October 30, 1939. His father was superintendent of Baltimore public schools, a position that demonstrated to Bob the joys of learning and teaching from a young age. He graduated with a degree in Biology and Biophysics from Johns Hopkins in 1961. From there, he pursued advanced degrees in English at the University of Illinois.
He arrived at William & 玛丽 as a 24-year-old instructor of English in 1964, shortly after completing his M.A. and Ph.D. coursework. Upon completion of his dissertation in 1968, he was promoted to Assistant Professor and advanced through all the professorial ranks until his retirement in 2005. His colleague, Emeritus Professor of English Peter Wiggins, upon hearing of his friend’s passing, remarked, “Bob was William & 玛丽.” Professor Maccubbin earned this distinction not just through his long service, but also through his well-regarded teaching and his committed and broad-ranging scholarship.
Eighteenth-century British literature was Professor Maccubbin’s teaching field, and in his later career he came to focus on Scottish literature. He had a special love for the work of Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns. His colleague Lee Alexander recounts his generosity to students; he would regularly invite his Scottish Literature classes to his home to “see and work with his massive Scottish literature and culture collection—a full library of materials, lining every wall floor to ceiling, including some very rare and valuable volumes, which he urged students to look through to discover treasures of their own.”
Th
Many colleagues’ most fond memories of their compatriot tie to Professor Maccubbin’s pleasure in entertaining. His family notes, “He greatly enjoyed his annual ‘Christmas Garden’, creating humorous and elaborate miniature villages. He made marble houses and homemade holiday cards. He enjoyed billiards, coconut cake, the Orioles, pastries, Pluto the dog, gardening, musing, traveling, reading, and above all, Scotland.” He enjoyed sharing these passions at the joyous, freewheeling dinners and parties he and Martha hosted—none more legendary than the series of bonfire lit and music infused cèilidhs they held on the grounds of their home, which left all comers feeling a bit more vibrant and free.
Robert P. Maccubbin is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Martha Hamilton-Phillips; his children, Gwyneth Tatum (Carter), Aubrey Maccubbin (Leah), and Glencora Israel (Jason); his older brother Don Maccubbin (Linda); and his six grandchildren, Alexander Maccubbin, Ryland Tatum, Kimball Tatum, Aurelia Maccubbin, Octavian Israel, and Arabella Maccubbin.
A celebration of his life will be held the first day of Spring, March 20, 2021, public health conditions permitting. Details will be shared in due time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the Historic Scotland Foundation, the Williamsburg Community Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Sincerely,
Peggy
__________________________
Peggy Agouris
Provost
William & 玛丽
The Brafferton
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795
(757) 221-1993 (office)
(757) 221-1510 (fax)
