It is with great sadness that the SES mourns the passing of one of our premiere scholars and founders, Peter Maurice Daly, who died on August 5, 2024, at the age of 88. Born in Bristol, England, he earned his PhD from the University of Zurich and was a professor in German departments at the Universities of New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and finally, at McGill University. Peter retired in 2001 but continued to be an active scholar for many years after that. He published over 60 books and almost 180 articles during his career, writing on a variety of German texts, English Renaissance authors, applied emblematics, and of course, English emblems. His most influential book, Literature in the Light of the Emblem (1st ed. 1979), brought the long-neglected English emblem to the attention of researchers working on early modern literature and culture.
The significance of Peter’s interest in emblems, particularly English emblems, however, reached far beyond his own publications. His vision and tenacity in encouraging others to share his passion provided the impetus for emblem scholars from across the globe to join together through dedicated conferences, article collections, book series, the journal Emblematica, impromptu exchanges, and the SES. In 1986 Peter and Daniel Russell were the founding editors of Emblematica. In the mid-1980s the Society for Emblem Studies was established through the efforts, imagination and energy of Peter and his fellow emblem enthusiasts Pedro Campa, Dan Russell, and Michael Bath.
Beyond Peter’s scholarship and organization skills, he will be most remembered for his gifts of friendship and mentorship. His shared editorial expertise and his belief in collaborative and interdisciplinary work lent the community of emblem studies an atmosphere of vigorous inclusivity as it rapidly grew in size. Many current and former SES members found our places in this community through Peter’s generosity to new scholars and open invitation to join the party. Peter’s sharp intellect, wry sense of humour, and love for convivial conversation – accompanied of course by a bit of alcohol – will be remembered fondly by all who knew and miss him. Let us toast our friend.
Mary Silcox