Obituary of Hayden Wightman Ward

Hayden W. Ward, Jr., 74, of Morgantown, WV, died Thursday, December 19, in Morgantown's Sundale Nursing Home where he had resided but a short time. Hayden was born to the late Hayden Wightman, Sr. and Jeanne Hansley Ward March 15, 1939, in New York, NY. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Columbia University in 1961 and was thereupon awarded the prestigious Harry J. Carman Fellowship for advanced post-baccalaureate study. He continued his studies in Victorian literature and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Columbia University in 1969 upon the presentation of his doctoral thesis, "The Religious Aesthetic of Walter Pater." Hayden's first academic assignment was in the Department of English at C.W. Post College on Long Island 1969-70. He began his career at West Virginia University in the fall of 1970, where he served until he retired in 2004. From the outset, he both taught and also served as Assistant Editor of the Department's scholarly journal, "Victorian Poetry." In the Department of English at West Virginia University, Hayden taught a wide range of courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He mentored several students in writing theses for advanced degrees and served on numerous examining committees that awarded M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in literature. He regularly taught undergraduate courses that surveyed British literature, American literature, the Victorian novel and other advanced courses, as well as courses in the techniques of writing essays and in literary appreciation for those students needing introductions to these subjects. In the fall of 1990, he advanced to Editor of "Victorian Poetry," thus providing the longest involvement of any editorial staff member since its founding in 1963. He was instrumental in soliciting special issues that went beyond the usual anniversary issues of major figures. Of particular note are the special issues on the Spasmodics and Tractarian schools of nineteenth-century poetry. Hayden also went out of his way to be supportive of younger scholars who sent manuscripts to the journal and he was a meticulous copyeditor. Hayden was well-known and liked throughout the profession. During his years at Columbia University, he was an officer and regular performer of the Barnard Gilbert & Sullivan Society, which drew on students and faculty from Columbia University, as well from Barnard College. In reviewing the Society's "Mikado," "The Columbia Spectator" expressed great delight with the whole production, adding "but the undeniable star is the aforementioned Mr. [Hayden] Ward." Hayden later confided to friends that these efforts during his days as a student afforded him the greatest amount of pleasure. He also directed two Gilbert and Sullivan works in Morgantown and was both a performer and member of the governing board of the now defunct Town and Country Players in Morgantown, too. His best and last role with that group was as Thomas à Becket in T. S. Eliot's "Murder in the Cathedral," presented in 1978 at Trinity Episcopal Church, although his activities with the T&C Players continued after that. Hayden was preceded in death by both of his parents and his half brother, John Hayden Ward, who died Jan. 21, 2013, at the age of 89. Hayden did not marry. He is survived by John's sons, Robert Nelson Ward, Richard Campbell Ward, and John Russell Ward. Hastings Funeral Home in Morgantown is handling arrangements. A celebration of Hayden Ward's life is planned for early in 2014 and will be announced at proper time. No flowers or other memorials are requested at this time.