Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 28, 1993 TAG: 9312280267
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Allen, who retired from the English Department in 1992 after 37 years at the women's college, taught everything from contemporary authors such as Eudora Welty to his classic favorites, Shakespeare and Chaucer. He taught his students to strive to be their best.
"He challenged his students who were willing to work up to his standards and become confident young women," said Jo Allen, his wife of 42 years.
Allen said when her husband taught myth and folk tales, he loved to use Homer's "Odyssey" to give his students a new perspective on Odysseus' wife, Penelope.
"Most people thought she was a sucker who was left behind while he had all those adventures. Lex would show the women how strong Penelope was to hold a kingdom together and fight off all those crazy suitors."
Born and raised in Chevy Chase, Md., Allen earned a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College and a B.A./M.A. from Brasenose College in Oxford, England. He received his doctorate from the University of North Carolina, then taught briefly at the University of Rochester before coming to Hollins.
Allen published a book of poetry, "The Lean Divider," and an anthology of poetry with commentary called "Hero's Way."
Allen continued to teach a few courses and independent studies after he retired.
by CNB