Kenneth Mark Craig, 76, Boston College Professor

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ASHLAND – Kenneth Mark Craig, 76, of Ashland died suddenly on August 1, 2022. 

He was a professor of the History of Art at Boston College for forty five years (1977-2022).  Kenneth M. Craig inspired innumerable students to love the History of Art as much as he did.  His love and enthusiasm for teaching Art History attracted many students to become Art History majors over the years.  Not only was he a cornerstone of The Art, Art History, and Film Department, Professor Craig was a gifted, dedicated teacher, a “rock star” to his students as well as a generous, kind, principled, and wise colleague.

Professor Craig liked to tell students that as an undergraduate at The Ohio State University, he was an English Literature major in the Pre-Medical Program (B.A. Cum Laude 1968).  He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 1968.  Dr. Craig then attended The College of Medicine at The Ohio State University (1968-1969).  However, his love of the History of Art which he had discovered in an undergraduate class caused him to change his plans.  He left medical school and pursued an MA in The History of Art with a minor in Anthropology at The Ohio State University (1970).  Next, Professor Craig went to Bryn Mawr College where he earned his PH.D in both The History of Art and Archaeology in 1979.  Administrative appointments at Boston College included Director of Undergraduate Studies, Chair of the Fine Arts Department and the Acting Director of the Boston College Gallery.

Dr. Craig was President of the Boston College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa (2014-Present).  His devotion to excellence was reflected in the attention and detail he brought to each induction ceremony which he hosted every year.

Kenneth Mark Craig was born in Columbus, Ohio May 18, 1946.  He met his beloved wife Lida Scurlock Craig at The Ohio State University where they were both History of Art graduate students (he, Northern Renaissance and Baroque – she, Italian Renaissance and Baroque).  He proposed to her within a month of meeting her and they were married 6 months later leading to 50 years and 11 months of marriage.  Having received their graduate degrees from The Ohio State University, they moved to the Philadelphia area to pursue their next degrees.  Dr. Craig PHD Bryn Mawr College and Mrs. Craig MLS Drexel University (Special Libraries-Art, Museum, Rare Books).  Their next move would be Boston for Professor Craig’s faculty position at Boston College.  Both Art Historians loved their trips to expand their knowledge in art, history, and cultures.  Dr. Craig took her to Belgium and Holland.  She took him to Greece and England.  Mrs. Craig began her study of the History of Art when she was a student at the University of Rome, Italy.

In addition to his academics, Dr. Craig loved to garden and could always be found outside during the summer months taking photos of his prized flowers.  Perhaps Dutch and Still-life flower paintings followed him outside to the garden.

Professor Craig is survived by his loving wife Lida Scurlock Craig, their beloved son Dr. Winfield Scott Craig, a Professor of History in Texas and his wife Megan and his two grandsons Easton and August.  He is also survived by his brother Gary Craig.

Professor Craig, a person of many talents and passions, will be forever messed by his beloved family Lida and Scott and by his second beloved family of Boston College students, colleagues, and community.

A memorial service for Professor Kenneth Mark Craig will be held at the Boston College – Conference Center at the McMullen Museum of Art, 2101 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA  02135 on Monday Oct. 24^th from 3 to 5 p.m..  Family, friends, and the Boston College Community are invited to attend.

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