James "Jay" Means

Dr. James "Jay" Means, 70, professor at the Scholars' College at Northwestern State University since 1991, passed away in Natchitoches January 11 following a brief illness. He was surrounded by friends, former students, and his sister Noelle. He was born July 30, 1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas to James Wright and Doris Campbell Means. Jay received degrees from Hendrix College, Arkansas (1965), the University of London (master of philosophy in English,1968), and the University of Virginia (Ph.D in English, 1972). He was the recipient of numerous outstanding academic honors, including a national Merit Scholarship, a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, a Marshall scholarship to Great Britain (1965-1968), a Danforth fellowship at the University of Virginia, and a Grant-in-Aid from the American Council of Learned Societies. A specialist in 18th and 19th century English literature, Prof. Means taught at the Université Laval in Canada for 15 years before joining the Northwestern State faculty. Author of some 35 monographs and articles, Dr. Means's most recent research and publications have focused on Victorian fiction, particularly the novels of Anthony Trollope and the sort fiction of Sheridan Le Fanu. He was an internationally recognized authority on Robert Blair's poem, "The Grave." In 2006 he won the NSU Excellence in Teaching Award. His friends remember him as an excellent raconteur with a superb sense of humour. Jay's wide ranging erudition, extraordinary generosity, and commitment to teaching and mentoring touched the lives of family, friends, colleagues, and students. He is survived by his sister and nephew, Noelle and Andrew Brannon. A memorial service will be held January 25, 2 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church, 533 2nd St. Natchitoches, La.