Since 1903, members of Arts and Letters have delivered commemorative tributes to fellow members who have passed away. These remarks celebrate and reflect on the lives and work of the members being honored and acknowledge their contribution to the arts. A selection of tributes is now available in the digital archive below. As we prepared this archive, we were reminded that these tributes reflect their times, and, in some instances, include terminology and social and moral judgments we do not endorse.
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I have known two big men in my lifetime. One of them was my father—the other, Edward Hopper. Chance brought them together once. As I watched from the sidelines I realized I was witnessing a matching of strength. The one man, my father, fairly electrified the air with the verbal force of his personality. The other seldom spoke a word except when absolutely necessary. How often through the years when I am weighing a complex problem do I remember that day.
By nature like my father, I totally lack all that Edward Hopper has to give. The profound silences of his work will ever be a source of strength. As someone else might keep going back to a favorite poet, I keep going back to Edward Hopper. The debt I owe him will take a lifetime to repay.