Edward C. Dimock

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Edward C. Dimock
Born
Edward Cameron Dimock Jr.

(1929-03-18)March 18, 1929
DiedJanuary 11, 2001(2001-01-11) (aged 71)
Occupation(s)Emeritus professor, linguist, scholar
Years active1959–1989[1]
Known forResearch on Asian studies
TitleEmeritus professor
Board member ofpresident of American Institute of Indian Studies
SpouseLorraine[1]
Children5
Awardsthe Desikottama, Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
Academic background
EducationPh.D
Alma materYale University

Edward Cameron Dimock Jr. (March 18, 1929 – January 11, 2001) was an American author, linguist, scholar of Asian studies and emeritus professor at the University of Chicago. He is known for his contribution to Indian studies such as Bengali literature and South Asian civilizations. He also conducted research on religion in the mid-1950's and introduced Bengal studies to the American academy.

Biography

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Education

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He was born on March 18, 1929, in Roslindale, Massachusetts. In 1946, he graduated from Roxbury Latin School.[2] In 1954, he became an ordained minister after obtaining a Masters of Sacred Theology.[1] In 1959, he went to Yale University and Harvard Divinity School where he obtained his Ph.D.

Career

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He started his career as an assistant professor of linguistics and Asian languages at the faculty of the University of Chicago where he taught for 35 years. He played a central role at the Chicago University for introducing the department of South Asian languages and civilizations, for which he was promoted to the rank of professor in 1966.[2] In the mid-1950's, he travelled to India along with his family to conduct research on religion. After traveling to India, he published several scholarly books, including Mr. Dimock Explores the Mysteries of the East (Algonquin, 1999), consisting a detailed account of his personal analysis and experiences in India.[2]

His other scholarly publications include The Thief of Love: Bengali Tales from Court to Village, The Place of the Hidden Moon: Erotic Mysticism in the Vaisnava-Sahajiya Cult of Bengal, and The Caitanya-Caritamrta of Krsnadasa Kaviraja among others.

He served president of the American Institute of Indian Studies from 1972 to 1986. In 1962, he along with Milton Singer played significant role with the help of W. Norman Brown to establish Indian studies institute at the University of Pennsylvania which was later shifted to University of Chicago in 1972.[3]

He retired in November 1993 and then moved to Centerville, Massachusetts, with his wife.[2]

Death

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He died on January 11, 2001, from cancer. He is survived by two daughters, three sons and a brother, George of Harvard.[2]

Awards and honours

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He received various literary awards over the course of his career, including the Desikottama, equivalent of a Doctorate honoris causa, by Visva Bharati University established by Rabindranath Tagore, in 1992 which was awarded him for his contribution to Bengali literature.[2] He also received literary honour by the Sahitya Akademi and was elected to the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship from 1929-2001.[4]

Publications

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  • Dimock, E.C. (1999). Mr. Dimock Explores the Mysteries of the East: Journeys in India. Algonquin Books. ISBN 978-1-56512-153-9. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  • Dimock, E.C. (1966). Dimock, Edward C. University of Chicago Press. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  • Dimock, E.C. (1962). Manasha, Goddess of Snakes. Reprint series. University of Chicago, Committee on Southern Asian Studies. Retrieved 2021-08-06.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Guide to the Edward C. Dimock Papers 1954-1994". The University of Chicago Library - The University of Chicago Library. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Edward Dimock, 71, Scholar of Indian Studies". The New York Times. 2001-01-28. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  3. ^ Igoe, Ruth E. (2001-01-16). "U. OF C. PROFESSOR EDWARD DIMOCK". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  4. ^ "..:: SAHITYA : Fellows and Honorary Fellows ::." .. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
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