The Department of Spanish and Portuguese at The Ohio State University expresses its sorrow upon the death on December 6, 2022, of Donald R. Larson, Associate Professor Emeritus of Spanish, Iberian Studies.

Born in Minnesota, Professor Larson graduated from Harvard University magna cum laude in 1957. He went on to earn M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Romance Languages at Harvard in 1961 and 1967, respectively, specializing in the theater of early modern Spain. Don’s first teaching position was at Princeton University, where he served as an Instructor of Spanish from 1963-65. While completing his Ph.D. at Harvard, Don became an Acting Assistant Professor at University of California, Berkeley (1965-67). Upon finishing his Doctorate, he was promoted to Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley (1967-73). In 1973, Dr. Larson became an Associate Professor at The Ohio State University, where he was a highly esteemed teacher and a treasured colleague. He celebrated his retirement in 2010.

Dr. Larson was a true lover of books and of the stage, a wonderful writer, and a beloved teacher. His first book, The Honor Plays of Lope de Vega (Harvard University Press, 1977), remains a fundamental source for anyone studying plays whose cultural work is the resolution of conflicts of aggrievement and dishonor. Perhaps Don’s affinity for theatrical material like this can be explained by the fact that he was such an honorable man himself. His last published book was an English translation of Lope de Vega’s La Discreta Enamorada / The Cleverest Girl in Madrid (Liverpool University Press, 2022). The editing of this volume was done by Donald R. Larson and Susan Paun de García; the translation, which was awarded the Association for Hispanic Classical Theater’s Franklin Smith Comedia Translation Prize, was Don’s alone. He also co-edited two special issues of journals and two collections of essays in comedia studies. In addition to his work on the early modern period, Professor Larson published articles on the Spanish form of light opera known as the zarzuela and taught courses on this operatic genre. He was one of the few literature professors in the United States to do so.

Don participated in conferences of professional organizations in his field and engaged in professional service throughout his academic career. He served as a Member of the Executive Committee of the Spanish 16th- and 17th- Century Drama Division of the Modern Language Association. He was a Board member of the Association for Hispanic Classical Theater from 2001-2013 and served as the AHCT Recording Secretary from 2007-2010. He continued to attend the AHCT conference beyond his tenure on the Board. Don also attended several international symposia in Spain during his long academic career.

In 2021, Don moved to Cincinnati to be near close friends there. In Cincinnati, he was able to continue attending theater, musicals, symphonies, and the opera. He also received deeply appreciated pastoral care. After learning of his passing, Don’s colleagues from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese held a memorial gathering in his honor at the OSU Faculty Club on January 19, 2021. In attendance, either virtually or in person, were many colleagues and prior students of Don, some of whom drove to Columbus or flew in from out of state to speak at this event. Their words repeatedly underscored Don Larson’s kindness, his sense of humor, his dedication to his students, his generous capacity to be a good friend, and his love of life. He will be very much missed.