Donald Fleming Obituary

84, of Cambridge, suddenly, and alone, on June 16, 2008. Born on August 7, 1923, in Hagerstown, MD, he was educated at Johns Hopkins University, AB 1943; & at Harvard University, AM 1944, PhD 1947. He taught History at Brown University, 1947-1958; at Yale University, 1958-1959, where he was professor of History & History of Science; at Harvard University, where he was a visiting professor, 1958-1959, professor of History, 1959-1970, & Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History from 1970 until his retirement in 1999 at age 76. He was director of the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History, at Harvard, 1973-1980, & the author or co-editor of several highly-regarded books and numerous, always-magisterial journal articles. He was a committed gourmet, an exceptional bon vivant and raconteur, a lover of the arts, and a steady supporter of numerous charities, institutions and causes. He was admired by his peers for his lapidary lectures, the breadth and depth of his intellectual interests and attainments, and his remarkable powers of expression and analysis. He was treasured by all who knew him for his lightning wit, unfailing good humor, legendary generosity, thoughtfulness and concern for others, & his inexhaustible loyalty to his friends, colleagues, and, most especially, students. His cremated remains will be interred at 1:30 pm on Sat., June 28, on Harvard Hill in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. For information & online guestbook, www.brownandhickey.com Brown & Hickey Funeral Home Belmont, MA 617-484-2534617-547-1500

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe on Jun. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Fleming

10 Entries

Dean Grodzins

June 16, 2022

Some news for Donald Fleming's friends: I found the manuscript for his legendary, unfinished, unpublished _History of Science in America_ in the Harvard Archives. I have edited a chapter of it, "The Meaning of Earthquakes," which will appear in the 2022 issue of the _Massachusetts Historical Review_.

Oivind Lorentzen

January 7, 2009

I was worried when the usual Christmas card and cryptic comment from Donald did not arrive. I then found the news of his passing last summer. Donald, my thesis advisor, was Harvard to me. His course on American Intellectual History brought to life the power of individual thinking (when put to action for the greater good). That was inspirational teaching.... And a Christmas card to boot for 36 years. Like his teaching, I have had taken him for a constant in my life. I will continue to see him as so.

Richard Morin

November 24, 2008

Learned today of Dr. Fleming's passing. He is my second cousin.My mother was his first cousin. I never met the man, but did try to connect with him through Harvard. I regret that I was not more persistant. He left some great second cousins. We see very little of each other, but, when we do, we have a wonderful time. Glad to read that hehad such a full life and good friends.

Dean Hunt

October 10, 2008

Professor Fleming was a faithful customer of Schoenhof's Foreign Books; his sparkling personality and wit would grace every visit to us. Professor Fleming, whenever I had written up a list of the books he had chosen to take with or have sent to him, would always say before departing the store, "Don't forget to take out your commission." Professor Fleming took me out to lunch once several years ago; I remember that I had asked him to speak of his years at Harvard. He was just as interested in hearing what I had to say about my life and my interests. He was a gracious soul. Except on one single occasion two years ago, I never saw Professor Fleming without a bow tie in place: He was ever the dapper dresser and never deviated from his sartorial choice of a suit. Professor Fleming's gentle and often joking manner during his visits to Schoenhof's over the nearly 15 years I knew him remain in my fond memories of him.

Alexander Wohl

July 3, 2008

He was at all Christmas and Thanksgiving each year at my home. Our tree would received a new star each year from the Smithsonian. My children and wife Jennifer will miss him and remember him as kind, gentle and wise

Virginia McLoughlin

June 28, 2008

It was always a grand occasion when Donald would come down from Cambridge
to Providence for the weekend to visit us old friends from Brown. We three couples would always share the hosting — the Thomases, the Jordys and the McLoughlins — and together for the weekend, we all delighted in every moment of his company.

It is sad to realize that I am the only one left living of this group, and now Donald. I remember Donald's saying to me once that dying was a fact of life and he didn't see why it would be a surprise if the person had had a reasonably long life. But it always is.

Thanks to whoever wrote the beautiful obituary that appeared in the Globe.

With fond memories,

Marie Henson

June 25, 2008

Once, years ago, when I called a Cambridge florist to send flowers to the professor's home as he recovered from a minor operation, I was struck by an audible smile on the other end of the line; so many people were sending bouquets to Prof. Fleming that the florist didn't need to hear the address. And once, while having dinner with him at a local restaurant, I noticed that the waiter was smiling as though the Professor had been there in the company of other friends earlier that very day.

If the loyalty of friends is a measure of our time here, then Professor Fleming leaves a remarkable legacy. He knew how to make me, for instance, a graduate student, in a field different from his, feel like the most delightful company, as if he were the one receiving all the benefits of conversation. Even his wit became conspiratorial, as if I, too, shared his keen observations. I hope I'll get to meet the others whose lives he graced with his stories, his kindness, and his dear company. Because I am realizing that I won't see his stately, measured approach along Mass Ave. anymore. And I will miss him very, very much.

He told me of his admiration for Greta Garbo; he was lucky enough to meet her. I hope he's in his element, getting to regale her with his stories. If Heaven truly is a banquet, then the best of storytellers, the most chivalrous of guests, and the most learned and kindest of men has arrived and is, I am certain, being joyously welcomed.

With gratitude always, Professor Fleming.

William Curry

June 25, 2008

Professor Fleming gave some of the most memorable lectures of my undergraduate experience. He truly inspired pursuit of a lifetime of learning.

Dean Grodzins

June 23, 2008

Donald Fleming was my teacher and friend. I had typically convivial lunch with him less than two weeks before he died.

He was a lovable man. Everyone who came in contact with him, from colleagues to waiters to small children, was fond of him. His students loved him. For me, he was like a member of the family.

He was a great teacher. His lectures, grand in scope and beautifully composed, were among the most popular at Harvard, and over his long career he attracted a large number of the best and brightest graduate students in the fields of both American and European intellectual history. He held them to the highest standards, and the dissertations they wrote under his supervision often became important, even seminal, books.

His own scholarship I think has been underrated, perhaps because he never published "the big book," an epochal history of science in America, which everyone in his early career, including he himself, expected he would publish. Yet he did publish brilliant books and articles. He pioneered a number of fields, particularly the histories of science and of medicine. He was, moreover, an elegant writer--lucid, witty, erudite, and incisive. I know he was working on yet another book at his death. I hope it will soon see print.

Ernest Kurtz

June 23, 2008

As a lecturer, Professor Fleming was a model from whom many students derived much. I am grateful to have been one of them.

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