James Sloss Ackerman

renowned art historian, 97 James Sloss Ackerman, one of the most prominent art historians of his generation, died at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Dec. 31 at the age of 97. Born in San Francisco (1919), Ackerman was a graduate of Cate School (1937), Yale University (B.A. 1941), and New York University (M.A. 1947, Ph.D. 1952). He served in the US Army in Italy in World War II. His distinguished academic career included professorships at the University of California, Berkeley (19521960) and Harvard University, where he was Arthur Kingsley Porter Professor of Fine Arts.

Ackerman authored eight books and countless scholarly articles; he was awarded six honorary doctorates and numerous awards, including the prestigious Balzan Prize for Architectural History (2001) and the Golden Lion Award from the Venice Biennale (2008).

James Ackerman was an inspiration to generations of art and architectural history students. He was a brilliant scholar, always able to communicate grand ideas in a graceful language which the lay public could understand. Most of all, he was a loving and wise human being, who gave the best of himself to everyone he encountered. He is survived by his widow, Jill Slosburg-Ackerman, and their son Jesse Ackerman; three children from his first marriage to Mildred Rosenbaum Ackerman (d. 1986): Anne, Tony and Sarah Ackerman; grandchildren Kubi and Luca Ackerman and Ella Sevareid; greatgrandchildren Lila and Milan Ackerman; and grand-dog Rondo.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of the Community Learning Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.