Dear Anne and family: I was incredibly lucky to have Professor Hawkins for Shakespeare my first two semesters at Wesleyan. He was an unknown commodity then, having just arrived himself. As a result, both The Early Works and The Later Works only had 15 or 16 students in them. His passion for teaching Shakespeare expressed itself each class in his love of the language and the multiple meanings of the text. You two were kind enough to host my class for dinner in the late fall. My best memory is Professor Hawkins indicating he was plying us with wine to get some good acting while doing the Rustics' play within the play scene from Midsummer Night's Dream. I had a great time doing Thisbe. Two other memories stand out. I went to ask Professor Hawkins if I could take his Christian Lit class and he responded, "Of course. You are the only student going around campus in cruciform position!" In that class, Professor Hawkins performed Lear's scene from the heath, and two students were so moved they had to leave the class in tears. I am delighted that you all were able to get his last book published before he died.

Thanks so much for sharing him with me. Professor Hawkins was, by far, the best teacher I have ever had. He was also a fantastic actor. What a combination for teaching college English! Remembering you in my thoughts and prayers, John D. Moore, Wesleyan '75