Dumbarton Oaks Gets New Director

By Alvin Powell

Contributing Writer

Edward Keenan, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of History, has been named director of Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection in Washington, D.C., Harvard's internationally known center for the study of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian civilizations, and of landscape architecture.

Keenan, who will serve for the coming academic year, succeeds Angeliki Laiou, the Dumbarton Oaks Professor of History. Laiou has held the post since 1989.

"I am delighted to have Ned in place as the leader of a center having such national and international prominence," said Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine. "We are also delighted to thank Angeliki for her superb service as director of Dumbarton Oaks. Angeliki's strong intellectual and administrative leadership has secured Dumbarton Oaks as a thriving center of scholarship and research in Byzantine studies, Pre-Columbian studies, and landscape architecture."

A specialist in medieval Russian history, Keenan has served on the Dumbarton Oaks' Administrative Committee for the last 10 years and has often conducted research there.

Keenan's familiarity with Dumbarton Oaks makes him an ideal choice for the post, said Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Jeremy R. Knowles.

"I am very pleased that Ned's intellectual leadership and extensive experience will ensure the continuing vitality and prestige of the academic programs of Dumbarton Oaks," Knowles said.

Over the years, Keenan has served in several administrative capacities at Harvard, including director of the Russian Research Center from 1976 to 1977, Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences from 1977 to 1984, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies from 1981 to 1983, and chair of the History Department from 1988 to 1991. He has been the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of History since 1991.

Keenan graduated from Harvard in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in Slavic languages and literatures. He studied at Leningrad State University from 1959 to 1961, receiving certificates in the Uzbek and Turkmen languages. He received an A.M. in regional studies from Harvard in 1962 and a Ph.D. from Harvard in history and Middle Eastern studies in 1966.

Keenan said he's not certain what changes will be needed during his time as director.

"It's a bit early to tell, for Dumbarton Oaks is in very good shape," Keenan said.

Dumbarton Oaks is a world-class center for research and offers residential fellowships in its three areas of study. Located in Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown section, the center houses one of the world's foremost collections of Byzantine art and literature.

The main building, with its famous grounds and gardens, was given to Harvard in 1940 by Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss.