E. Wayne Craven, Jr.
December 7, 1930 - May 7, 2020
E. Wayne Craven, Jr., age 89, of Newark, DE passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
Born in Illinois on December 7, 1930, he was the son of the late Ernest Wayne and Vera Viola (Cline) Craven, Sr.
Wayne met his future wife at The John Herron Art School in Indianapolis, IN, which is now a part of Indiana University. They were married in 1953 in Rochester and that fall moved to Bloomington, IN, to attend Indiana University where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees.
In 1957, Wayne and his wife moved to New York City where he attended Columbia University and received his PhD in art history. Lorna and Wayne especially reveled in New York’s cultural offerings of music, art and the theatre.
The Cravens next move was to Massachusetts where Wayne taught at a woman’s college just south of Boston.
Dr. and Mrs. Craven came to Delaware in the fall of 1960 when he was appointed The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Delaware. During his time at University of Delaware, Wayne was received an honorary degree and authored numerous books including “Sculpture in America”, “Colonial American Portraiture”, “Gilded Mansions”, and “Marble Halls”. Among other accomplishments, he was honored to be guest curator of the Whitney Museum of American Art in NYC in 1976 and was guest curator at the request of President Lyndon B. Johnson, sculpture section, “The Creative American”, held at The White House in 1965.
In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Lorna Rose (Breseke) Craven. He is survived by his sister, Rebecca A. Marino (Francis) of Elkhart, IN; nieces, Rachel Gosc and Sarah Marino; nephew, Frank Ernest Marino; great nephew, Max Gosc; great nieces, Megan Gosc, Faythe Mishler and Novaleigh Marino; and sisters-in-law, June Goodwin and Nancy Breseke.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial service in Newark will be announced at a later date.
Kate Lemay
We will miss Wayne always. Sending our love and deepest condolences to the Craven / Marino / Gosc family, and all Wayne’s dear friends. The Lemay Family
Barbara Tebbens Ellis
So sad to read of the passing of Dr. Craven. As an art history minor at UD 61-65 I had the pleasure of taking many of his classes. He was a superior professor and will be missed.
Elizabeth Baumeister
As a student in Dr. Craven’s Art History class at the University of Delaware in the spring of 1970, his love and knowledge of art and architecture inspired me. When ever I can I take architectural tours of various cities around the world and visit their art museums.
I never missed one of his classes. A favorite day was slides of Notre Dame’s gargoyles. Years after college, we meet at a dinner party in Rehoboth. He will not be forgotten.
To his family, I extend my deepest sympathy, Betsy
Toni Gregory Eaton
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Craven’s passing. I took American Art History with Dr. Craven at UD in 1967. To this day, I remember how interesting his classes were. Dr. Craven’s courses were always very popular, and once I was able to sign up for one, I understood why. His love and passion for art history was infectious! I learned so much that, to this day, whenever I go to an art museum and see American painters, I think of him. His beautiful book sits on my coffee table. He was one of my favorite non-political science professors. I would like you to know that he left his mark on me and many other UD students. His legacy will continue witht he love of American art history which he cultivated in us.
Daniel Shields
I had the pleasure of taking several courses with Dr. Craven from 1968-71at UD. His passion for Art and Art History was infectious, and I never missed his lectures, which I can’t say about many courses. I remember distinctly being amazed at coming into Smith Hall on the final day of his course, and being amazed at how crowded it was. After the lecture I understood. Many folks who weren’t in the class showed up just to hear Dr. Heaven’s inspiring lecture.
Michael Bowe
I had Dr. Kraven for an intro to Art History class in 1976 and I still remember the the things I learned in that class. His first lecture compared the Parthenon to Guernica. I think of him every time I see either of them. It still amazes me that a person could make a life long impression you.
RIP, your life was well lived sir!
Barbara Mueller
To Wayne’s family and friends: Wayne, I only met you once, but I know how much you meant to my very good friend and neighbor across the hall, your sister in law, Nancy Breseke. You will be sorely missed by everyone who knew you, of that I am sure.
Peace be with you all. Stay safe.
Barbara Mueller
Mary Ann Blair
I took one course from Dr. Craven in 1967 and it was life changing for me. It began a life long interest in art appreciation. I am so grateful for his teaching.
Jean Spraker
I was an Art History major at the UDE (class of 1973) and pursued a graduate degree and career in the history museum field. Dr. Craven was my advisor and I am grateful for his support to me as a female student with academic and career aspirations during the early 70s. He encouraged me to apply for an undergraduate research grant which I received and the project I pursued involved consultations with conservators at the Met and Winterthur, crucial to my professional development. His mentoring made a difference in my life.
Paula M McGowan
I remember Dr. Craven fondly as a freshman at UD in 1976.
Jeanne Brody
A wonderful teacher and scholar as well as a lovely human being. Condolences to the family for their loss.
Susan Isaacs
I took three graduate classes with Dr. Craven. I have so many fond memories of him. He was a wonderful teacher.
jeannette otley
My sister and I had Dr. Craven for art History back in late 1970’s. His course was one a remember and enjoyed thoroughly.. Especially when I traveled especially to Italy. I was able to use all his teaching !! He was one of the BEST professors I had at University of Delaware!! Sincere condolences!
Michele L. Brown
To the Family of Dr. Craven,
I am very sorry for your loss. Dr. Craven was such an inspiration to me while I attended the University of Delaware. He had a true gift for teaching and inspiring others. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to have him as one of my professors.
Sincerely,
Michele L. Brown
Audrey Lewis
My first graduate school seminar was Dr. Craven’s Colonial American Portraiture in 1987. It was a revelation to me and it was such a pleasure to get to know him through his other graduate courses and the undergrad classes for which I was his assistant. He had a dry sense of humor and always put students at ease except if they were late, lol. I will remember him fondly.
William Keller
I remember the additional time he took to hold review sessions for folks prior to their orals. His lectures, read from text, were rich and rewarding. I’m grateful for his example.
Robert "Bob" Martin
I was saddened to have learned of Dr. Craven’s passing, having read the article in the recent issue of UD magazine. I have fond memories of Dr. Craven, having taken two courses in art history that he truly embraced during my undergraduate years at the University. He was one of the pioneers/bulwarks of the fledgling department of Art History at UD in the mid-60s and ’70s. His course ARH150 – Monuments and Methods in the History of Art was taught by him, and only Dr. Craven during my time at the University. There was only one section, and it was generally packed, 400+ students in one of the cavernous lecture halls in Smith Hall, during the fall semester. The other course I had an opportunity to follow-up with was ARH320 – American Painting from the Colonial Period to WW I. This class was essentially a survey of American history through American painters and paintings…a great follow-up to US History. Dr. Craven was always impeccably dressed, and superbly versed in his subject matter…and he truly loved teaching those two courses. My interactions with him were brief, given the size of the classes, but he was available if one needed to speak with him…all you needed to do was to schedule an appointment. I must confess that both of these courses made me a better person for having had the opportunity to take them and experience the imprint and legacy that Dr. Craven left at Delaware throughout his tenure at the University. He will truly be missed. I was a secondary school education major during my undergraduate years at Delaware…and ARH150 was a godsend (in disguise)…as much of the material he presented/discussed in that course appeared on the National Teacher Examination (the NTE) that was required for my initial teacher licensure/certification in the 1970s. I was blessed to have been able to reap some of the benefits of “Art Monuments…” in the end. Rest In Peace Dr. Craven, and may your soul look favorably on the University of Delaware…and the legacy you left behind for future generations of students. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine. Et lux perpetua Lucent ei. Requiescat en pace, Dr. Craven.
Jane Abitanta
So very grateful to Professor Craven for his exemplary teaching of introduction to Art History classes in the late 1970s. I was one of those fortunate to have benefitted from his extraordinary talents.
Bunkse, Edmunds
Wayne was able to recognize the value of cultural geography that I taught at UD