Miner, 77, leaves lasting legacy

Earl Miner, a popular emeritus professor of English and Japanese literature, died on April 17 at the age of 77 after an extended illness. Colleagues remembered him for his dedication to his studies and care for the wellbeing of the entire University community over nearly three decades at Princeton.

"My friend and colleague, Earl Miner, was a memorable person, with his cultural reach, his sense of scruple, his desire to conserve the best of the human spirit and his sense of the University community as an extended family filled with a kinship that would guarantee its health and strength," said Robert Fagles, an emeritus professor of comparative literature, in an email.

Miner joined the faculty in 1972 and retired in 2000 as Townsend Martin, Class of 1917, Professor of English and Comparative Literature.

In 1993, he was granted the University's Behrman Award, which honors achievements in the humanities.

His accomplishments were also recognized outside the University and across continents.

In 1994 he received the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government for his commitment to Japanese literature.

Miner's academic specialties were in early modern English literature, classical Japanese literature and comparative poetics.

In addition, he was president of the Milton Society of America, the American Society for 18th Century Studies and the International Comparative Literature Association.

Miner received his bachelor's degree in Japanese studies and doctoral degrees in English from the University of Minnesota.

Previously, he was a member of the English faculty at Williams College from 1953 to 1955 and at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1955 to 1972.

Miner is survived by his wife Jinny, two children and grandson. At his request, no memorial service was held.