Evelyn Byrd Harrison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Evelyn Byrd Harrison
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| Born | 5 June 1920  Charlottesville |
| Died | 3 November 2012 (aged 92) |
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| Occupation | Art historian |
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Evelyn Byrd Harrison (born June 5, 1920 – died November 3, 2012) was an important American expert. She studied ancient Greece and Rome. She was also an archaeologist, someone who digs up old things to learn about the past. Evelyn taught at New York University for many years. She also worked with the American School of Classical Studies at Athens for over 60 years. Her special interest was ancient Greek sculptures from the 400s BC.
Biography
Early Life and Education
Evelyn Byrd Harrison was born in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her family was well-known in Virginia. She went to John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia.
In 1941, she earned her first degree from Barnard College. She then got her master's degree from Columbia University in 1943. Her studies were put on hold because of World War II. During the war, Harrison worked for the War Department. She helped to figure out secret Japanese codes.
Career in Academia
In 1949, Evelyn started working with the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. This connection lasted for the rest of her life. She joined the University of Cincinnati faculty in 1951. She received her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1952.
Harrison became a professor at Columbia University in 1955. She taught there until 1970. Then, she moved to Princeton University. At Princeton, she made history. She became the first woman to be a full professor in their Art History and Archaeology Department.
In 1974, she moved to New York University. She became the Edith Kitzmiller Professor of the History of Fine Arts. She taught there until she retired in 2006. Evelyn Byrd Harrison passed away in New York City on November 3, 2012.
Awards and Honors
Evelyn Byrd Harrison received many important awards for her work. These awards recognized her great contributions to studying ancient art.
- Guggenheim Fellow (1954) - This is a special award given to people who do amazing work in arts and sciences.
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1973) - She was chosen to be part of this group of very smart people.
- Member of the American Philosophical Society (1979) - This is another old and respected group of thinkers and scholars.
- Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement (1992) - This is the highest award from the main group for archaeologists in America.
