The world of English literature recently lost a luminary with the passing of Warren Chernaik, emeritus professor of English at the University of London, at the age of 92. According to those close to him, Chernaik was a passionate advocate for the power of the written word and the vital role that independent writers play as truth-tellers in society.
Born and raised in New York City, Chernaik’s love affair with literature began early in life. He earned a prestigious Regents scholarship to attend Cornell University before going on to pursue graduate studies at Yale, where he met his wife Judith, a fellow English student.
A Champion of Independent Writers
Throughout his academic career, which included positions at esteemed institutions like Yale, Ohio State, City College, and Boston University, Chernaik developed a reputation as a fierce defender of writers. He firmly believed that the independence of authors was crucial to protect, allowing them to serve as vital truth-tellers and critics of the powers that be without fear of political repression.
Warren believed strongly in the relevance of literature to the writer’s society, its history and politics.
– Judith Chernaik
This conviction shone through in Chernaik’s own scholarly work, which often focused on authors who boldly spoke truth to power. His 2017 book Milton and the Burden of Freedom examined how the famed 17th century poet John Milton raged against the “blind mouths” of his own era’s oppressive forces.
Connecting Literature to Life
For Chernaik, studying literature was never a dry academic exercise divorced from real-world concerns. He constantly urged his students to think critically for themselves and consider how the texts they read connected to the most pressing social and political issues of the day.
Colleagues and former students testify to Chernaik’s unfailing kindness, generosity of spirit, and infectious enthusiasm for his subject. His wide-ranging intellectual curiosity was reflected in the diversity of his academic interests, from Renaissance poet Andrew Marvell to popular American music of the early 20th century.
Building Scholarly Community
In addition to his scholarly output and engaging teaching, Chernaik made significant contributions to the academic community. Concerned about the isolation often experienced by graduate students scattered across the University of London’s many colleges, in 1991 he founded the Centre for English Studies as a hub where students and lecturers could come together to exchange ideas.
He was also a dedicated advocate for his fellow academics as an active member of the AUT and UCU trade unions for nearly half a century, working to improve the labor conditions of university staff.
A Lasting Legacy
While the world is poorer for Warren Chernaik’s loss, his passion for literature and its power to speak vital truths lives on through the generations of scholars and students he inspired over his long career. His legacy serves as a model for how academic work at its best can and should connect to the most essential concerns of human life and society.
As Chernaik’s life story demonstrates, a deep love for the written word, coupled with an unwavering moral compass and generous spirit, can leave a profound impact long after a scholar has left the lectern for the last time. May his memory be a blessing, and his example an inspiration for all those who follow in his footsteps.
