William Edward Beauchamp

William E. Beauchamp, Professor Emeritus of World Languages and Literatures at Southern Methodist University, was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 9, 1934. He died at his home on February 8, 2018.

Bill contracted Polio at age 14 which began a lifelong struggle tolive a meaningful life in spite of the difficulties as a result of the disease. This experience taught him to approach every task with determination and perseverance, a lesson that served him well all his life.

Bill received his PhD from Columbia University and taught there for several years before joining the faculty of Southern Methodist University in 1974, where he designed and taught a wide range of courses, including French, French literature, gender studies and religious and philosophical thought. He pioneered the study of gay literature at SMU, teaching the first course in the 1980s. He served as area chair of French for many years and as chair of SMU's Department of World Languages and Literatures from 1995 to 2000. He has written essays on semiotics and structuralism and articles on literature and political issues for newspapers such as The New York Times and The Dallas Morning News. In 1993 he was awarded SMU's Perrine Prize, recognizing outstanding teaching and scholarship, and in 2006 he was named an Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at SMU and retired from SMU in 2013.

While living in New York City Bill was an active member of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force during its formative years. After moving to Dallas in 1974 he continued to be active in the gay rights movement and helped form the local Gay Academic Union in North Texas, a group of LGBT academics who aimed at making academia more accepting of LGBT people, and he participated in many activities in support of LGBT the community in Dallas as well as at SMU. He was also an avid supporter of all matters of social justice including racial equality and the feminist movement, as well as gay rights.

As he transitioned from his role as university professor Bill became involved with the adult education program at Northaven United Methodist church. Through those activities he continued to utilize his skills as a teacher to fulfill his passion for learning by helping others broaden their perspective of faith and religion.

Bill is survived by his partner of 35 years, Tom Harrod; his son, Tomas Beauchamp; Granddaughters Andrea and Dasha and great grandson, Alex; sister, Danielle and niece, Elizabeth, and other beloved family. He was preceded in death by his mother Kathryn Lambert and father, William Beauchamp.

A Memorial Service will be held on February 17th, at 2:00 p.m. at Northaven United Methodist Church, 11211 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

American Heart Association, March of Dimes, or any charity of your choice.