Surrealism fascinated Case Western Reserve University historian Jack J. Roth.

For two months in 1979, organizations in University Circle came together to stage "The Persistence of Surrealism" project. An award-winning PBS documentary "Pursuit of the Marvelous: The Persistence of Surrealism" evolved from the event and would showcase the circle's institutions at film festivals, universities and other venues around the world.

Roth, CWRU professor emeritus and former chairman of the department of history, organized the event and co-authored the film with British producer Malone-Gill of London to chronicle the unprecedented collaboration of cultural arts institutions in the Circle. The film showcased a series of events, such as an exhibit of surrealistic paintings at the Cleveland Museum of Art, an artists' masked ball by the Cleveland Institute of Art, a surrealistic opera performed by the Cleveland Institute of Music, scholarly lectures, poster contests and a film series.

He accepted the Golden Eagle Award from the CINE (the Council on International Non-Theatrical Events) in 1983, which qualified the film for entry in international film festivals. The successful project also received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Cleveland and Gund Foundations.

Roth died from a stroke Wednesday, May 7, at the Montefiore Home in Beachwood. He was 82.

Born in Lvov, Poland, Mr. Roth attended the University of Chicago and earned his bachelor of arts degree in 1942 and his doctoral degree in 1955. He also studied at the Institut d'etudes politiques at the Sorbonne in Paris from 1949-50. His studies concentrated on modern French history and culture.

He published two influential books in his field. World War I: A Turning Point in Modern History (1967) examined the impact of WWI on European and western history in the decades to follow it. His other major book was The Cult of Violence: Sorel and the Sorelians (1980), which received acclaimed reviews and scholarly praise from such prestigious journals as the American Political Science Review.

Roth explored the revolutions which brought about political change in Europe. He also became fascinated with surrealism in art, which he viewed as a revolution of the mind. His work led to a number of articles and publications on the subject as well as the University Circle project.

Prior to joining the CWRU faculty in 1968 as a professor and chairman of the history department, he was a tenured professor and chairman of the history department at Roosevelt University. During his career, he had visiting teaching positions at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Chicago.

Roth is survived by his wife, Sheilagh; stepchildren Bradford C. Gaylord of Chagrin Falls and Heather (Scott) Goldberg of Moreland Hills; sister Anita Glassman and brother, Seymour Roth, both of Chicago; four grandchildren and a niece and nephew.

A memorial service for Mr. Roth took place on May 9 at the Montefiore Home.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Montefiore Home, 27080 Cedar Road, Beachwood, Ohio 44122.

 

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