Remembering Professor Charles R. Larson (14 January 1938–22 May 2021)

In the past few years, modern African literature has lost some of its brilliant pioneer critics: Emmanuel Obiechina, Abiola Irele, G.D. Killam and now Charles Raymond Larson (better known as Charles R. Larson). Dr Larson passed away from complications from prostate cancer on 22 May 2021 at his Chevy Chase, Maryland home. He was 83. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, on 14 January 1938, Larson grew up as a mid-Western city lad whose father, Ray Olaf Larson, ran a department store and whose mother, Miriam Kamphoefner Larson, a home maker, provided dance lessons.¹ He studied at the University of Colorado,