Retired professor dies at age of 89
Muriel Ingham attracted students to the world of literature and author J.R.R. Tolkien
Tawnee Prazak
Issue date: 8/24/05 Section: City
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Ingham began her career at SDSU in 1967 as an assistant professor, and was a full-time professor by 1973. Until her retirement in 1981, Ingham gave life to literature including pieces by Milton and Chaucer, and taught medieval romance, Middle English and Latin.
"I had a high regard for her as a teacher," English professor Fred Moramarco, Ph.D., said. "Students seemed to like her."
Moramarco, who was chairman of the English department when Ingham was at SDSU, said she was very serious about teaching. This included her popular English class on Tolkien, who wrote "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit."
Ingham once said of her Tolkien class, "There has been great enthusiasm and participation in this class both with students and administration."
Originally from Spokane, Wash., Ingham was more than a professor. She was a published poet whose works appeared in various publications such as American Weave, Westminster Magazine, The American Bard, International Poetry Review and Quartet.
In 1956, she won first prize for a book of poetry, "The Dissolute Winds," at the Southwest Writer's Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Her poem, "Return," appeared in Best in Poetry and also in "Thyrsus IV," which can be found in Love Library.
Ingham was a life-long scholar. After graduating from high school in Oregon, she began her college education at Willamette University where she graduated magna cum laude in 1938. Ingham went on to study at UC Berkeley, which is where she became involved in the Manhattan Project, according to an article in The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The war-related project worked toward developing the atomic bomb. Ingham's involvement included compiling test results and translating physics papers from French to English, according to The U-T.
Her work on the project and knowledge of war issues led her to a job at Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany. While in the country, she attended the University of Mainz, Germany from 1948 to 1949.
After she returned to the United States, Ingham attended UC Riverside from 1960 to 1967, where she earned a master's degree in English. She then received her doctorate at Chapman College in Orange, Calif., after giving a doctoral dissertation on handling the death of 15th-century literature, according to The U-T.
It was during this time she began teaching, holding positions at UC Riverside and San Bernardino College.
Once she arrived at SDSU, Ingham, who was a single woman, put her heart and soul into her profession.
"She really seemed to care," fellow colleague and professor emeritus Jackson Benson, Ph.D., said. "Teaching was her whole life.
"She carried herself with great dignity."
Benson said she was always cheerful and friendly whenever he saw her in the halls or at meetings.
Ingham's career at SDSU also included working as a graduate-student advisor for the School of Literature, holding membership to the Promotions Committee for the College of Arts and Letters and sitting as a thesis chairwoman for 10 Master of Arts candidates.
"She was very connected to SDSU in many ways," Moramarco said.
After retiring in 1981, Ingham served on the board of directors for the Friends of the Classics, which promotes Greek and Roman studies at SDSU.
She was recognized by the Heritage Society for including SDSU in estate plans, which includes trusts, bequests or other means of planned giving.
Ingham, though, is most remembered for her passion toward literature. She made a trip to England in 1977 to secure materials such as books and journals for a nine-case display in the foyer of SDSU's library. She even compiled a manuscript for the 12th-century novel, "The Virgin of Wilts."
Survivors include her brother, Clifford Ingham of Oregon, a niece and a nephew.
Cremation is planned and ashes are to be spread across the sea. A remembrance was held Saturday at the Faculty-Staff Club at SDSU.
