Frederick Buechner once said of Dr. E. Beatrice Batson that even those who entered her office with a firm resolve to say no to her requests, left that office having agreed to whatever she had asked.  That was my own experience in the summer of 1980 when I agreed to meet with Dr. Batson to discuss taking on a part-time position in the English department. After an hour with that very convincing and elegant woman, who presented me with an impassioned argument for what she considered a singular opportunity to teach eager students in a college with like-minded professors who took Christian faith seriously, I signed on without hesitating. Her energy, her resolve, and her vision were captivating.

She was the mentor every student and every faculty member needed, especially young women, whom she ardently supported.  At a time when professing the love of literature became unfashionable within the profession, she professed that love and dedication with conviction—in her teaching, in her considerable scholarship in seventeenth-century studies (especially Shakespeare and Bunyan), and in the standards she upheld as English department chair from 1973 to 1987.  She broadened the vision of students by bringing into the department for lectures and residencies such notables as Madeline L’Engle, Frederick Buechner, John Frederick Nims, Walter Ong, and so many others.  Even after she retired, she chaired several conferences for professors of Shakespeare interested in faith issues. 

This beloved professor and colleague died January 22, 2019 at the age of 98.  She taught at Wheaton for 33 years, having earned a B.A. from Bryan College, an M.A. from Wheaton, and the Ph.D. degree from Vanderbilt University. Her imprint is on several generations of students and all of the faculty who came into her orbit.  May light eternal shine on her.