Carl D. Weiner, William H. Laird Professor of History and the Liberal Arts, Emeritus, passed away August 25, 2024 at the age of 90. Read his full obituary.
Carl’s memorial service will be held on October 27th at 11am in Carleton’s Great Hall. A lunch reception will follow. The service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.
Carl was someone few people could forget. Born and raised in New York City, he spent most of his adult life (somewhat to his own surprise) in Minnesota as a beloved history professor at Carleton College. He was a natural raconteur, bringing the French Revolution, the Reformation and the great political, social and intellectual upheavals of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Europe to life for generations of Carleton students—a number of whom have credited their own eminent careers in academia and other fields to the power of his teaching. Carl was also a keen observer of contemporary politics and society, someone with strong views who refused to be pigeonholed by any ideology and who could always be counted on to put today’s conflicts and controversies in their larger historical context.
Among Carl’s defining qualities were sharp intelligence, a wry sense of humor, and the capacity for tremendous kindness and generosity. He lived his life with integrity and purpose. He loved good food and wine, spirited conversations (whether in English or French), and losing himself in a well-written book. He developed a lifelong—if occasionally tempermental—attachment to the nation of France, where he and his wife, Ruth spent some of the happiest times of their lives and made a wide circle of friends. Carl also grew into a deep appreciation for his adopted Minnesota, especially the natural beauty of the state’s northern parts, which he enjoyed exploring on numerous vacations with his children.
Anyone who knew Carl would agree that he could be lovable and exasperating in equal measure—sometimes simultaneously. While at times he delighted in playing the misanthrope, his love for and dedication to those closest to him was never in doubt.
Carl is survived by Ruth Weiner, his wife of almost 66 years; his sons, Nick, Kevin and Daniel Weiner; his daughters-in-law, Liz Mozden and Kara Weiner; his son-in-law, Carl Roller; his grandchildren, Quinn, Nathan, Zoe, Kaya, Adam and David Weiner; his brother, Rob Weiner, Rob’s wife Arlene and their family; and many other family, friends, colleagues and former students.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family invites anyone who would like to make a donation in Carl’s memory to donate to two funds at Carleton that have been established to further values Carl held dear–the Carl Weiner and Paul Wellstone Scholarship or the Carl and Ruth Weiner Fund for Social Justice Internships. Information about both of these funds is below.
Carl D. Weiner and Paul D. Wellstone Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2013 by Eric M. Robinson ’88, and his wife Lisa, on the occasion of his 25th Reunion. This scholarship is in honor of Carl Weiner and Paul Wellstone, who taught at Carleton with rigor and intensity in their respective disciplines. Financial aid will be given to students in good academic standing, with demonstrated financial need, who have engaged in a notable manner with the College community within and outside the classroom.
Carl and Ruth Weiner Fund for Social Justice Internships in Memory of Abe Feinglass
Professors Carl and Ruth Weiner will establish the Carl and Ruth Weiner Fund for Social Justice Internships in Memory of Abe Feinglass with a gift from their estate. This gift will support Carleton’s Social Justice Internship Program, which provides financial support to students pursuing unpaid or low-paying summer internships or training programs in organizations promoting social justice and structural change in the United States. This commitment honors Carl and Ruth Weiner and Abe Feinglass, Ruth Weiner’s father. The Weiners intend to make annual gifts to support the internships on a current basis until the program has been endowed with their estate commitment.
Comments
Ruth, I send you deepest condolences. Karl was an inimitable for in life and leaves behind an extraordinary legacy.
I fell in love with Paris after seeing it through the eyes of Carl & Ruth Weiner. They happily subjected their study abroad students to French theater we couldn’t possibly understand, but thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless. When I clumsily sprained my ankle playing tag in Normandy, Professor Weiner wheeled me the rest of the day, without even a hint of exasperation. Thanks to the Weiners, the Carleton-in-Paris program will be forever etched in my mind as one of the standout experiences of life. I will always remember Professor Carl Weiner fondly. To Ruth, my deepest sympathies.
Thank you, Hendrikaxox Ruth
I didn’t have Carl as history prof (only Bill Woehrlin who is also gone), but it’s sad nonetheless.
I offer my condolences to Ruth and all of their family. I was lucky enough to work closely with Carl on several grant proposals related to a project on French history. I learned a great deal from him, and enjoyed that mix of "lovable and exasperating" traits! He will be missed.
I loved, revered and was sometimes terrified of Carl. He is the reason I majored in History. A great teacher, a great human being. Condolences to Ruth and the whole family and to us all who had the privilege of knowing him.
My heart goes out to you, Ruth, and to all of Carl’s family and friends. I had an unforgettable class (“Balzac’s France”) with Carl during my freshman year, which both fascinated and terrified me (as others have said)! His sharp intellect and (sometimes surprisingly!) warm heart were a rare combination. He will be deeply missed by so many, including me.
Ruth, so sorry for the gap present in your life by the loss of Carl. He was a force and his parting leaves all of us diminished.
Ruth and Carl opened their home and hearts to S and me. They included us in so many moments- meals, family times- everything. I secretly enjoyed the fact that Carl seemed to accept us, because I thought that if he wasn't fond of us, we would have known it. How many time were Ruth and i in one room, while we could hear Carl and S going at it in another room? We know their kids, and being included by them in so many moments has meant a great deal to us.
Love to you, Fred & S
Carl was a professor who cared passionately about his chosen field AND cared deeply for students. A strong presence in the 1960's for simultaneously listening to young people - and insisting that young people think about the consequences of their actions.
My deepest sympathies to you Ruth and family. Although I didn't know Carl closely, Aunt Annie was my dear Aunt and I know he impacted so many people in positive ways. Sending love to you all.
So good to get your note, Barbara.
Ruth
Such sad news and my deepest condolences to Ruth and family. I was a History major (class of 1989) and chose to concentrate in Russian Studies partly due to Carl's courses in Marxism. His passion for history and dedication to teaching were unequaled. As some have said, Carl was a true force of nature, and he will be missed! May his memory be a blessing to all.
I took several classes with Carl Weiner in the mid 1990s. He was an extraordinary lecturer: vigorous and lively, profane as all hell, emphatic, and had a wonderful gift for bringing things to life. A really wonderful lecturer; he fired up our imaginations and I can still hear his voice. RIP.
This is lovely, Ben
Professor Weiner was a fantastic teacher. He never let me get away with any BS, always pushed me to do the best work I could. He was cantankerous and kind. You could tell he really cared about us. He'll be missed.
I have thought of Carl often over the years. Funny, bristly, smart, and (I always knew) kind. I feel how he left his mark on me as an educator. I will miss him.
I graduated as a History major in the class of '94. Carl was my advisor, but in a roundabout way. I greatly enjoyed his classes on early modern and Revolutionary France, but I was more drawn to medieval history. A falling out with my advisor (contemporaries will guess who that was!) left me adrift, and Carl stepped in, overseeing my comps research project and advising me about graduate school. This was a testament to his generosity, but also to his patience: my comps project was a deeply weird attempt to see the scientific revolution through the lens of Foucault (something I abandoned as soon as I got to grad school!). Carl used to call me "Foucault's Pendulum" (a different Foucault, which makes the joke funnier). I'm not a historian of France, but Carl taught me more about thinking historically than anyone I've worked with since. He also taught me how to be a good mentor to young historians, and I've aspired to his example over my career. He was unforgettable, one-of-a-kind, and the truest mensch. Generations of Carls were lucky to have him in a class or seminar, and to be invited to spaghetti dinner with Carl and Ruth!
Ruth, I'm so sorry for your dear loss. I'm also sorry for the changes Carl had to endure. I met you last Friday while we were outside with our families. I had told you that I would ask my son if he had him for a class at Carleton. Well, YES! Steve, our son, had wonderful things to say about Carl. He will write to you and tell you how he felt and now feels at Carl's death. On the whole, he said that Carl was his favorite prof. Hang in there, it will get better!
So happy to get your note. Thank you.
I was a history major at Carleton who graduated in 1982. I took several classes with Professor Weiner and remember his fondly. My condolences to his wife Ruth and the rest of their family.
Carleton did not have a Historiography requirement for its history majors when I graduated as one in 1968. But his French Revolution course, which I took my senior year, admirably served that purpose, since a good portion of it was devoted to how it was interpreted by successive generations of French historians—a lesson that still lives with me.
I was blessed to be in that class, and stayed awake and never had him throw an eraser at me. My condolences to Ruth and his family. I hope they can find consolation in the contribution he made for his students.
My condolences to Ruth and his family—
I was a 1963 history major graduate. The 8 courses I took included one from John Baird, one from Peter Miles, two from William Woehrlin (incredible professor) and four from Carleton Qualey. I had no courses from Dietrich Prowe, some professor whose name I don’t even recall, or the recently deceased Carl Weiner.
After failing comps (forgone conclusion) the three profs named/cited above that had never had me in a classroom constituted the panel that provided my “second chance.” I had to read a tome on the French Revolution, discuss with the panel, and pray for their mercy.
All I REALLY remember about the day is that the Rotblatt Championship game was delayed until my arrival.
Bill, do you remember how many hits you had in the game?
Crusher
I learned more about history, historiography, and undergraduate teaching from Prof. Weiner than I did from all of my graduate professors combined. He brought the French Revolution to life, and to this day I recall him shouting Danton's famous "Il nous faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace!" before handing out our final exam. He also passed out gumdrops, color-coded to the politics of each student. I got a red one, for being a Jacobin wannabe. I considered that a rare compliment. He exemplified the Carleton spirit, and I will be forever grateful. He represented all I cherished about my college experience.
Carl Weiner was my advisor and Mooshka was my friend during our conferences. Carl did not mince words with me, I recall him asking why I was so "phlegmatic", a word I had not heard before. I also recall him smoking an immediate cig after puffing around the stadium track. He pushed this kid from rural MN harder than any previous educator had done, and it helped me to expect more from myself. Carl and Paul Wellstone were my main influences at Carleton.I graduated Magna with distinction and, while law school went (later) by the wayside, no regrets. I have been an active part of our country's history, involved with many candidates and causes. They "broke the mold" when they made Carl Weiner, as goes that cliche, but in his case it was truth. Thanks, Carl for helping me to understand that it's ok to ruffle a few feathers in the name of justice.
Bon Courage Ruth.
More than anyone else Carl Weiner inspired me to become a Francophile—his colorful lectures on Early Modern Europe and The French Revolution were peppered with tales of driving a “deux chevaux “ [2 hp] around France enjoying the history, the scenery and the cuisine! A few years later crossing the country with a French friend we stopped in Northfield overnight and offered to bring Carl and Ruth a pizza from Bill’s for dinner—-showing the love of France he had imparted to me! Over the years this continued with my being a founding Board Member of the still vibrant Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association and a string of 40 consecutive years in which I was in France every year but one. Rest in peace, Carl. PS. By coincidence today I finished Robert O Paxton’s VICHY FRANCE Old Guard and New Order, a masterful work on a difficult period of French history, wondering if Carl might have read it or known the author
Carleton history students in the 1970s were privileged to study with a universally excellent group of teachers.
And then there was Carl Wiener.
Carl did not give lectures; he gave dramatic soliloquies that were emotional and passionate. By hs own proud admssion he ranted and raved and screamed. Carl Wiener did not teach history, he wrestled with it, fought with it, suffered with it and challenged it. There were times when he finished the class in tears; on one memorable occasion he began in tears.
Carl Wiener's history was an activist history. "I am a Marxist!" he bellowed on the first day of his lower level survey class. To those of us who survived into his upper-level classes, "Marxist" morphed - with no apology - into "Stalinist". His was a struggle - a noble struggle - where no prisoners were to be taken where sacrifices in the cause of a higher goal were both honorable and expected. He pushed us, he challenged us, he demanded from us, and never deviated from his fundamental message: that history was a tool which could and should be used to confront the present, and hopefully to point us to a better future.
Let there be no question that Carl's message has been passed on; the fire from his torch has been carried off in a thousand different directions.
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure you two were two were a big asset to Carlton. I’d like to know you in a more joyous circumstance… let’s hope and imagine.
Hello, Steve,
So good to have met you both at the Willows. All my best to you,
xxx
Ruth Weiner
My sincere condolences to Ruth and the Weiner family on Carl's passing. French Rev. was a watershed moment in my intellectual development and maturation, as it was for so many who have posted here. Carl came to personify in many ways the real gift I got from attending Carleton. The ability to step back, look at a situation or the world in a critical fashion and ask the questions necessary to arrive at a better understanding. For that, Carl, I thank you. Rest well, my teacher.
Ruth - my heart aches for you and your family. Our time visiting at you home with Carl ?7 years ago gave me an appreciation for who he was (and I wouldn’t have been caught dead in history class), so this was my first dose of him up close. May his memory be a blessing
Thanks, dear Ben.
Ruth
Thinking of you and your family, Ruth. Unfortunately I didn't come to know Carl in person during my first years at Carleton before he retired, but certainly as a legendary teacher! May his memory be a blessing and comfort.
I still have a couple compositon books from two terms of early modern history with Carl, a funny office hours story, and his grace at letting an illiterate sophomore into his fin de siecle seminar. I was over my head, but he was gracious and yes, his exasperation was also motivating. I shall miss him
I was the beneficiary of Carl's kindness as a member of the OCS Paris program in 1991. As a farm girl I was enthralled with the little herds of cows in the countryside as we took a bus to visit Giverny or some other town. Carl once asked the bus driver to pull over so I could get out and take a photo. When we returned to campus a few of us cooked a homemade choucroute garni for Carl and Ruth as a thanks for the wonderful off campus experience. That time in Paris is still one of the highlights of my experiences as a student. I am grateful for what I learned and appreciate Carl's humor and wisdom.
I was a Chem major, but had a lot of History major friends. One Saturday night, we were out for beers at the Rube. The conversation wasn't about football or bitching about some professor or how bad the SAGA food was. No. It was a passionate debate about the French Revolution. I remember sitting back and thinking "Only at Carleton." Thanks, Carl.
I was privileged to know both Carl and Ruth in their early years at Carleton. I was a history major, and I also was a regular in theatrical productions, including some of Ruth's first efforts (eg The Seagull). I have fond memories of Carl, brandishing an epee and spearing a piece of pizza in their living room, surrounded by enthralled history students. Although I did not take his French Revolution class (and desperately wish I had), I heard his most famous quote about that event: "There are no half-way revolutionaries." Touche, Carl!
My deepest condolences to Karl's family and loved ones. He was a real mensch and will be missed.
Deepest apologies - CARL
Carl was a legendary teacher, inspiring generations of Carleton students with his enlightening lectures on Balzac and the French Revolution. His office was directly opposite to mine, and it became my study room where I learned from him about the marvels of French history. Carl’s knowledge was interdisciplinary. In a conversation with him about the history of science, I was amazed by his deep knowledge of Joseph Needham’s multiple-volume classic Science and Civilisation in China. Carl always brought his beloved dog Mushka to Leighton. Mushka would lie calmly (and watchfully) outside the building, guarding it and befriending students passing by, a most endearing sight.
Ruth and Carl welcomed us to Northfield in 1981 with warmth, support, and encouragement. Carl was never a solemn-faced professor; he was caring and nurturing, especially to junior members like us. Carl noticed that I wore the same tie to class for an extended period. One day, he unexpectedly gave me a new tie to ensure that I looked more presentable in class. To me it was a gift of fraternity. Thank you again, Carl!
My first history class at Carleton was Carl's freshman seminar "Balzac's France." For most of us it was our first introduction to historiography and the idea that history is something produced by historians who have different ideas of how to present history. I went on to take several other courses including his class on the French Revolution. But what I remember most is when I was very frustrated being in Northfield and was looking for an off-campus experience. His gruff exterior gave way to genuine concern and good advice when I went to get his sign-off for a program in NY. He directed me instead to the Newberry Program in Chicago. I credit his patience and understanding for me staying at Carleton to complete my history major. Thanks Carl.
The two classes I took from Carl were Age of Absolutism and the incomparable French Revolution course—it was early in Carl’s tenure and before Freshman Seminars (Balzac would have been my choice!) displaced Freshman Rhetoric. But before his talk in the 1964 election—so missed a lot but perusing other comments a titan of the Carleton faculty over the decades! Rest in peace Carl, you touched many many lives!
So sad to hear this news - May Carl's memory be a blessing. I only took one class from him, but I distinctly remember him using some ... colorful language during lecture. Given that the colorful language was in either French or German, he was a little startled when I (conversant in both at the time) burst out laughing.
My deepest condolences to Ruth, and to all the family. I took Carl's Balzac's France class in 2000, purely on the strength of the title and description in the Freshman Seminars booklet (it blew the doors off any of the other offerings). As a New Yorker washing ashore in rural Minnesota, I think I found Carl's fierceness weirdly reassuring. But he was also, as others have said, incredibly kind. I remember having a meltdown the night before the first paper was due-- my first college paper-- and when I went to hand it in, and he found out I'd been up all night stressing about it, he was horrified I hadn't told him and asked for an extension. Anyway, so much of my Carleton experience was shaped by the History department, of which he was at the center (quite literally, in his office in Leighton). It was exciting and challenging and a little scary, but also warm and rich with possibility.
I hope that it's some consolation, dear Ruth, that Carl has profoundly affected the lives of so many Carls.
To my lasting regret, I never took one of his courses. Nonetheless-- prompted by early rumors that Carl was a combustible blend of a New Yorker and a Parisian--I did attend his public lecture on Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign. (Lecture sponsored by Carleton's Young Democrats).
It's been a pleasure to visit with Carl and Ruth in London and in St. Paul, where members of the Class of '67 gathered in the Weiner's home in June 2017, at the end of our 50th reunion. The teacher is at rest, but he lives on in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of his spirited teaching, his intellectual rigor, his political commitment and his gracious hospitality.
Dear Ruth, bon courage and--I hope-- a bientot!
Much love from us both, Yani & Stella
Just read your sweet note. Much love to you, Yani, and to Stella.
Ruth
I remember very well the first time I saw Carl Weiner in action. My friend John Coolidge told me that even though my interest was in American history, I just had to sit in on this amazing class on Early Modern European history. I went to a lecture. Carl stormed in, found the projector wasn't working, and exploded. Other students raced for their "drop" cards, while I added the course. American history was (almost) forgotten. One example of how charismatic Carl's teaching was: it inspired me to learn to read French so that I could read Annales H.S.C. When I started teaching myself, I realized that much of what I was doing was imitating what Carl had done. And when I stopped academic teaching, it was easy to give it up because I realized that I could never be as good as he was.
But what I really appreciated were the moments outside of class. It might be watching him build a boules court in the back yard of his house, or having me to dinner where the Weiner's served me the first fresh artichoke I ever had, or drinking hard cider and arguing a fine point of history (and life). Carl and Ruth opened to me a world that I didn't know existed.
When we graduated, Carl gave John Coolidge and me a two-volume translation of Marx's Kapital: one volume for John and one volume for me. It was, he said, so that we would always have to stay in contact if we wanted to understand the entire argument. We did, until John's untimely passing. Now Carl is gone, too. And I am sitting with the theme of Marat/Sade echoing in my head.
Karl Weiner changed my life, so much for the better. Besides my parents he was the most influential living person in my pre-adult life. He taught about ideas behind events. He tested theories and challenged assumptions. He inspired, not lectures but each class full of compelling short stories, not lies. In French Rev he let me write a paper on Babeuf, a fine agent provocateur.
But that felt incidental when compared to what he did FOR me, something I did not know until several class reunions later and a gathering at the Weiner house (with beer, legally) in St. Paul. As a senior (Sep. 1966) I was invited to provide an Advice column for that fall’s entering freshmen class. The ‘Tonian always published short paper full of information welcome messages, etc. for the new frosh as they arrived. My piece was my usual candid appraisal, advice on how to survive the winter, the 21 drinking age, the various campus regulations. Facing the draft and Vietnam, I could not avoid a com[parison of the old men running Carleton and the phalanx of old men running the Vietnam debacle. One line I wrote apparently set the Dean of Men on a track toward revenge.
“You will soon realize that this little society, like the Great Society [LBJ’s regime] suffers from rot at the top.”
The Dean wanted me expelled for such open disrespect. The higher ups in the administration agreed. I’d been a recurring verbal assailant for three previous years. One more step was required before I would have to leave Carleton. The faculty Senate had to vote in favor. So Weiner and Dr. Phil Niles, two of my history profs, stood before the Senate and explained that my expulsion would be an egregious violation of academic freedom, would likely leak to the press and do immense harm to Carleton reputation. They apparently even warned that I would be vehement in my comments to the media, excoriating President Nason [with whom I never spoke, in four years]. The Senate voted down the expulsion and I blithely went along with my senior year. Writing further snark when Peter Iverson was fired as proctor, I also postponed two draft notices, got married and went off to California where my first son was born, finally making me ineligible for the Vietnam War.
Had Weiner not spoken out, had I been expelled, I would likely have spent my life in Canada, never knowing the many friends and colleagues I grew to trust and love, Never met my wife, Kate, nor been trained by superb birders in the San Francisco region. Karl, you helped create my life and that of my family. I am likely one of hundreds who owe similar thanks. Amen.
I am deeply saddened to learn of Carl's passing. I could go on at length about favourite stories involving his unsuccessful attempts to modulate his volume while recovering from throat polyps in 1983 or so, gumdrops launched at exam-writers, disparaging remarks about Montreal bagels, etc. but I think it is more appropriate to speak about the enduring value of what I learned while taking half of the courses for my history major with him and working with him as my comps advisor. In his classes I learned to try to put aside the preconceptions I had about how life and the world work and to try to understand how other people lived and thought in other places and times. He pushed us all hard but the effort was always rewarded by new insights and sometimes fun. I remember in particular the 1,100 pages he had us read for a single seminar class that met three times a week.
These turned out to be extremely useful skills when I later became an immigration and refugee lawyer, whether it was trying to help a refugee claimant explain and document their fear of persecution or working with a couple to explain the very different cultural norms involved in their marriage history. I have long said that my training in history was far more helpful to me as a lawyer than anything that I got from my two law degrees.
Thank you, Carl, for these valuable gifts.
Condolences to Ruth and the family.
Ruth, Danny, Kevin, Nick--I am so sorry for your loss.
Morrie Schreibman wrote above that "Carl Wiener did not teach history, he wrestled with it, fought with it, suffered with it and challenged it." I can't imagine a better description of what it was like to experience Carl's classes, and that feeling of "total immersion" was a hallmark of the learning environment we shared with him. I came to Carleton as a working-class kid and was immediately intimidated by all of the bright professors' children I met. I spoke barely a word in Phil Niles's freshmen seminar on 'Chaucer's England.' Somehow, I ended up in Carl's "History of the Working Class" and my oh my, I was immediately hooked. I'd never learned any historiography before, the sense that historians (and we, as students along with them), could "wrestle" with history with such passion--and the stories were about ordinary people making that history. And then, later, I took his Marxism seminar, where he had us read all of "Das Kapital" over Winter Break and be tested on it when we arrived on campus! In those smoke-filled library seminar rooms, he showed us how to use a theoretical framework to unfold the past and connect it to our present circumstances, more like a toolkit for excavating historical conditions of socio-economic oppression than a blueprint. It was an exhilarating ride.
Later, while I was in graduate school at UW-Madison and taught for a term at Carleton in the 90s, I visited him and Ruth in St. Paul and told him about my work in German environmental history; I'll never forget him teasing me about how I'd abandoned the cause to study "butterflies." Even worse: "what the hell happened to France?" And then, the best part, "I thought you liked girls," when he realized I had brought my boyfriend along. I'd learned long ago not to take any gruff comments too seriously, because it was an invitation to reconnect, to spar, and to laugh.
I've been way too slow in adding a note here, mostly because I'm not sure I can find words to capture how much Carl and Ruth shaped my Carleton years and thus my life. Carl challenged, argued, scowled and grinned and pushed me to far greater intellectual and political engagement than my high school self ever conceived. I have been fueled by the lessons and memories ever since. Love you, Ruth.
Carl's office was next to mine in the History Department for many years so I could watch the steady stream of students come in, be welcomed, chastised (if needed), and always encouraged to get serious about their studies. Carl was a great colleague, thoughtful, critical, irreverent, and supportive. Grace and I always enjoyed the History Departments get-togethers with Ruth and the kids and the dogs on the Hill of Three Oaks. Those were specials years.
Love to you all. Cliff and Grace
Prof. Clark, it was a delight to see your name on this string. I was more of a Carl Weiner/Clifford Clark major than anything else: between the two of you, your courses comprised a full 80% of my courses in my major subject. I want to jump on this opportunity to let you know the enduring value that experience has had on my life. Your curiosity, rigour and intelligence were an inspiration. It was a privilege to study with you. My father (also a history professor) was always very impressed by your course outlines and reading lists. I hope that you are doing well.
I worked to help Carl with the transition from paper to digital; a process that was alternatingly reviled and appreciated by Carl — sometimes switching between extremes within moments. When Carl brought a challenge of how to preserve and share his Esternay Letters* to Lew Weinberg (another colleague and friend in academic technology) I was drawn into this new project. In the process of finding a way forward, Carl turned into a friend and colleague as we worked to preserve the *precious collection of letters from 100 years before and 100 years after the French Revolution, to which he was temporary custodian.
The remarkable story of these letters and Carl's work with them is retained on The Esternay Project website.
I found Carl's intense passion for his work and for life in general, to be occasionally exhausting but also quite inspiring. Ah... Carl! I miss your spirit and passion pour la vie!! Though perhaps out of character, rest in peace my friend.
To Ruth and family, my most heartfelt condolences.