Lydia Hall Lenaghan, professor emerita at Barnard College in New York City, passed away last month. She was 86 years old.
Dr. Lenaghan began her career at Barnard College as an assistant professor in the department of classics in 1962. She was promoted to associate professor in 1969. She chaired the department from 1974 to 1981 and again in 1985. During her tenure, Dr. Lenaghan taught courses on Greek, Latin, mythology, Roman historians, and Lucretius. She also helped develop the Medieval Renaissance Studies program, taught and administered the first-year seminar program, and served as the college’s representative to the Intercollegiate Center in Rome. She was named professor emerita upon her retirement.
A native of Emden, Germany, Dr. Lenaghan was a magna cum laude graduate of Barnard College. She held a Ph.D. in classical philology from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Lenaghan was my favorite Barnard professor, warm and amusing, as well as a brilliant scholar! I’m sad to learn of her passing!