Fred H. Stocking
Fred H. Stocking

The College marked the passing of Fred H. Stocking ’36, Morris Professor of Rhetoric, emeritus, on July 21. He was 94. An English major at Williams, Stocking received his master’s (1937) and Ph.D. (1946) in English from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Clad in a bow tie and occasionally a cape, Stocking was well-known in Williamstown, serving on the English faculty from 1940 to 1983. His writing focused on Victorian literature, history and culture, and he was a frequent contributor to local newspapers. He served on the College’s lecture committee, advised student commencement speakers and was secretary of the faculty.

Stocking had deep roots in Williamstown. His grandfather, William Redfield Stocking Sr., Class of 1869, was minister of White Oaks Church, and his father, William Redfield Stocking Jr., Class of 1905, grew up in the area. Among Stocking’s survivors are his wife Carol, three children, five stepchildren, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.