Vivien Hart, professor of American studies, died on February 2, 2009, aged 70.
Vivien described her own academic interests and work as the study of “contemporary constitutionalism.” It was much more than that, however. In the first place she developed an interdisciplinary social science approach in a field dominated by legal expertise. Secondly, her work demonstrated a remarkable pattern as she traveled a path from examining the nature of dissent to seeking the sources in constitutionalism for the resolution and reconciliation of conflict, leading in her later work to contemplating the possibilities for broadening participation in the constitutional process.
Thirdly, she focused on the contribution of women to the constitutional process. Her book Bound by Our Constitution: Women, Workers and the Minimum Wage stands as enduring testimony to the value and need for painstaking scholarship. In addition to her own work, Vivien encouraged and promoted research by young women in particular as well as established international scholars. This led to the publication of two co-edited volumes, Writing a National Identity and Women Making Constitutions.
The following quotations from two eminent Canadian scholars underscore her immense standing:
Vivien was a true blue member of that elusive body, the community of scholars. She gave much to the corner of that community—constitutional studies—in which I reside, by helping us connect our own local studies to broader and deeper issues shared by other constitutional democracies. Her own work was a brilliant example of what is to be gained by applying the methods of social science and the sensitivities of the humanities to constitutional studies.
(Peter Russell)She was, as you know, a scholar of constitutionalism, and to that subject she brought a moral purpose, a depth of understanding, and an insistence on a generous, inclusive perspective that greatly enhanced our understanding of the deeper meaning of the concept.
(Richard Simeon)Vivien was a late entrant to an academic career. The turning point was at Harvard, when Professor Samuel H. Beer, the leading American authority on British government, became her Ph.D. supervisor. Their relationship grew into one of colleagues and friends, and over the next 35 years, there was a continuing flow across the Atlantic of information, analysis, and discussion.
Vivien joined the Sussex faculty in 1974 where she and Professor Marcus Cunliffe immediately formed an important collaboration. As a historian and a literary critic, Marcus teamed with Vivien, a social scientist, to forge ahead with American studies. When in 1991 the university established the Cunliffe Centre for the Study of Constitutionalism and National Identity, Vivien was the obvious choice for director.
This proved the perfect vehicle for Vivien to further her own research interests as well as to facilitate the work of younger scholars. She fostered links between the Centre and George Washington University, Ohio State University, and the University of Toronto. A series of international conferences followed resulting in numerous publications.
Vivien's career expanded far beyond the University of Sussex. She was a visiting professor at Smith College and at Ohio State University, and held fellowships and scholarships from the American Council of Learned Societies, Massey College of Toronto University, the United States Institute of Peace, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the Brookings Institution.
Vivien's pleasures and enthusiasms were many, and included her love of the outdoors, fondness for music and food, the reading of detective novels, and, most of all, her family and friends. These pleasures allowed her to play the academic game of “never too busy to talk to you” and “let's have another cup of coffee” when, in reality, she was one of the most dedicated and conscientious of colleagues and teachers. She was a thoughtful mentor to many students and colleagues both at home and abroad.
The following pleasures also leave us with cherished memories.
Outdoors: She organized and chaired a prestigious international conference at the Rockefeller Center in Bellagio, yet found time every day for a walk in the surrounding countryside?
Music: Her love of music is well known but how many were aware of her secret passion for American musicals, not Rodgers and Hammerstein, more Rodgers and Hart, and Cole Porter?
Food and wine: She could recite the menu at a Michelin three-star restaurant that she shared with her friends the Keefers over 20 years ago. More recently, she took great delight in the 10 euro lunches in southwest France. Vivien was a practicing helixophile—a collector of corkscrews to you and me.
Detective stories: Her taste paralleled her career. When I first met Vivien in 1974 she was reading Rex Stout, whose detective, Nero Wolfe, was a great foodie and orchid grower. She moved on to Robert B. Parker, whose private eye, Spenser, fought for justice in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There have been many others since, but none more so than Sarah Paretsky's tough female private eye, V.I. Warhawski.
Vivien did “grumpy”: but then universities provide great opportunities for doing so.
Vivien will be fondly remembered by her family and many dear friends. A thoughtful mentor to many students and colleagues both at home and abroad. An enthusiastic world traveler as well as an energetic hiker.
