Taddesse Tamrat Gebreyes

Professor Taddesse Tamrat was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to his father Memhir Tamrat Gebreyes, a revered priest in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and his mother Woizero Berhane Muluneh. He liked to refer to himself as "a child of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church" because many of his maternal and paternal ancestors going back several generations were clergymen. Taddesse started out with church education and became well versed in Qine, poetry and Ge'ez, the liturgical language of the Church. He also served as a deacon, including at the Kidist Mariam (Saint Mary) Church.

Professor Taddesse received a B.A. in history from the University College of Addis Ababa (1962) and a Ph.D. in African and Middle Eastern History from the University of London, School of African and Oriental Studies (1968). He is also author of the internationally acclaimed book "Church and State in Ethiopia."

Professor Taddesse was happily married to his late wife Almaz for 45 years before her passing in July 2012. He is survived by his daughters Hiwoté, Hillina and Hilal; his sons Reginald and Yacob; his grandchildren Abboye, Abdi, Yomi and Bona; his nephew Yonas; nieces Bilen and Metasebiya; and a host of friends, colleagues and family, including his lifelong friend of more than 70 years, Girma Wolde-Aregai.

Professor Taddesse passed away at the age of 77, surrounded by his loving family, on May 23, 2013.