Stephen Fredric Railton

Ilene, I'm sure you don't remember me but Steve was always my favorite cousin. Sadly I didn't have much contact with him, though we did chat briefly when Hal Holbrook died. I think we also talked briefly at Roy's funeral. (My memory is slowly failing.) I don't whether you knew him as Roy or Art. I always hoped we could all get together some time, somewhere, for a reunion. We never got around to that. I hope Steve had a "good" death, as I hope we all will. I'm not at all surprised to...

I was Mr. Railton's graduate assistant for a few years in the mid-80s, and he was my dissertation advisor. I didn't realize at the time how very lucky I was to work with him. He was a model professor: consummate lectures, open office hours, personable (he'd talk about his family), and caring. Mr. Railton directly shaped my teaching, grading, and communication with his extensive feedback. In fact, he was so good that I did not pursue secondary teaching: the standard he set was too high. For...

Have a seminar Prof. Railton did for ,The Great Courses, on Mark Twain. Very interesting and enjoyable lectures. Sad to hear if his passing.

I went to high school with Steve at NVRHS. He was a really nice guy and I'm sorry to hear this sad news. Nice to read about what a fulfilling life he led.

I knew Steve well in grade school. When he ran for Eighth Grade President he handed out bubble gum with the note,"Chews Railton."He won!

Dear Railton Family- I'm so sorry to learn of Mr. Railton's passing. Annie and I were classmates starting at Jackson Via school. I remember Mr. Railton (and also Mrs. Railton) with their husky picking up/dropping off Annie at school or participating in something for our class. Nice man, great family. Sending my prayers and sincerest condolences to you all. Take care

Our sincere condolences to you and the family during this difficult time of loss.

The world has lost a kind soul and the literary world has lost a master. As an English major at UVA in the early 2000s, I had the good fortune of taking 3 classes with him. He was simply an amazing professor and human who inspired his impressionable students to think for themselves and learn from the world around them. Years after graduating, I caught the tail-end of an interview he was giving on NRP about Faulkner and I reached out via email and we had a lovely exchange that still sticks...

I had the good fortune to know Steve twice. I met him first when I was a graduate student in history at UVA, and then we reconnected years later in the world of Faulkner. In both settings he was an excellent mentor and friend. My ideal is people who are both great and good: great at what they do, and good as human beings. Steve was a life member of this club, to be sure. I am sorry for his family's and friends' loss, and grateful that I had the privilege of calling him a colleague and a...