Janet Lucas, a professor of English in York’s Faculty of Arts, died suddenly in Toronto on July 26. Lucas was a York alumna and earned a master’s in English in 1997 and a PhD in social & political thought in 2003. She was 43.
Left: Janet Lucas
Lucas focused her research on avant-garde literature, modernism, the literature of madness and the abject. She was a popular professor with her students. As a contract faculty member in York’s Department of English, she taught courses in psychoanalysis and literature, and cultural studies. She was also a contract faculty member in the Department of English at the University of Toronto.
Born in 1962 in Edmonton, Lucas worked initially as a computer systems instructor. At the age of 29, she decided to pursue her interests in literature and literary theory. She enrolled at the University of British Columbia and completed a double major in English and women’s studies, graduating with high honours before beginning her postgraduate studies at York.
While at York, Lucas was active in the Graduate Student’s Association and served as its Chair from 1999 to 2000. She also was a member of the PhD Admissions Committee and was very active in conferences.
A private family service took place in Edmonton on Aug. 10. Donations in memory of Prof. Lucas can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.