All Scholars

Duane Reed Stuart was one of the original group of preceptors brought to Princeton by Woodrow Wilson to begin a new plan of teaching. There he devoted himself to the university for 37 years serving as faculty representative on the Advisory Council, teaching, and particularly as a director of graduate theses. Though he actively sought no positions, a colleague remarked that only "Pooh-Bah" of The Mikado could rival him in the extent and diversity of his duties. The Resolution passed by the faculty on his death states, "Probably no one of our colleagues has assisted with such patient wisdom and kindliness so large a number of advanced students in the preparation of their theses. His attitude toward them and toward his colleagues was one of comradeship in a high cause." His scholarship was broad, but always exact and sensible. For most of his career he was interested in the literary and historical aspects of biography and his Sather lectures presented the results of his researches in one of the few volumes in the series that treats both Greece and Rome. Later in life he turned to the biographical accounts and then the poems of Virgil, a reflection of his deep humanity and love of beauty.Stuart had captained the track team at Michigan and for some time held an intercollegiate track record. His lithe physical elegance was matched by the even tenor of his modest and sensitive personality, and his students remembered his "self-sacrificing helpfulness, the kindly gracious-ness, the urbanity and humor which won their esteem and affection."