John Stroup, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Professor Emeritus at Rice University, passed away Jan. 17 at the age of 78. A distinguished scholar of German Protestantism and intellectual history, Stroup will be remembered for his wit and passion as well as his impact on academia, his colleagues and his students over a career that spanned more than four decades. He retired and assumed the emeritus title in December 2022.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of John Stroup, whose exceptional intellect, humor and dedication enriched the Department of Religion and the School of Humanities,” said Kathleen Canning, dean of humanities. “His absence will be profoundly felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and learning from him.”
Stroup earned his doctorate from Yale University in 1980, having studied under prominent scholars such as Hans Frei, Jaroslav Pelikan and Peter Gay. His broad-ranging intellectual influences included the works of Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Spengler, among others.
“John Stroup’s scholarship shaped the study of German Protestantism and intellectual history in profound ways,” said Brian Ogren, chair of religion and the Anna Smith Fine Professor of Judaic Studies. “His ability to connect complex historical and cultural themes inspired students and colleagues alike, leaving an indelible mark on the field and the academic community at Rice.”
Stroup joined Rice in 1988 after seven years as a faculty member at Yale Divinity School. Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant minds in his field, Stroup specialized in the intellectual and social history of German Protestantism with his teaching and research influenced by prominent scholars such as Pelikan and Reinhart Koselleck.
“He was known as the best church historian in the country,” said William Parsons, Rice’s current Harry and Hazel Chavanne Professor in Christianity, who was a graduate student at Yale when Stroup served on the faculty.
Stroup’s arrival at Rice was marked by a unique set of circumstances. Parsons said that Harvard had attempted to recruit Stroup from Yale, prompting Rice to beat out both Ivy League offers with a full professorship and tenure.
Parsons described Stroup as an intellectual powerhouse with a sharp sense of humor.
“I just remember in faculty meetings, which could drone on and not be very pleasant, he would say something and I would just crack up,” Parsons said. “He had this really sophisticated wit.”
Stroup’s scholarship delved into the intersections of theology, culture and history. His work often explored themes of cultural pessimism, Protestantism and the impact of societal change on religious and civic identity. Stroup’s 2007 Rockwell Lecture titled “Cultural Pessimism, Popular Culture and the Search for Civic and Religious Identity in Contemporary America” remains a testament to his incisive analysis and intellectual depth.
“He was a man who was deeply learned and who had an encyclopedic knowledge,” said Matthias Henze, the Isla Carroll and Percy E. Turner Professor of Biblical Studies and director of the Program in Jewish Studies. “There wasn’t a conversation I had with him in which I didn’t learn something new.”
“John was a really good and close colleague, and we had a lot of affection for him,” said Jeffrey Kripal, the J. Newton Rayzor Professor of Religion.
Throughout his career, Stroup combined rigorous scholarship with an unwavering dedication to his students.
“His classes were always well attended, and he cared profoundly about his students, some of whom stayed in touch with him for a long time,” Henze said.
Parsons also highlighted Stroup’s commitment to the humanities, describing him as a staunch advocate for the field’s role in fostering critical reflection and character development in students.
“He was very outspoken about the importance of humanistic reflection in creating character in people,” Parsons said. “That’s what we do in the humanities. We try to get our students to reflect and become more human. He was a complete believer in that.”