Pitt professor dies

Pitt literature professor Eric Clarke died in his home about a week ago.

Emergency responders… Pitt literature professor Eric Clarke died in his home about a week ago.

Emergency responders pronounced the 46-year-old dead in his Bloomfield home at 9:45 p.m. on Oct. 10, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The medical examiner’s office declared the death accidental, and the office was waiting on the results of toxicology tests, which might take up to four months to complete.

Clarke joined Pitt’s English department in 1992 as an assistant professor and became an associate professor in 1998, Pitt spokesman John Fedele said in an e-mail. Clarke taught courses on American and British literature, sexuality and culture.

Clarke received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1986. He earned his master’s in 1988 and his doctorate in 1991, both from Brown University, Fedele said.

Fedele did not have any information regarding funeral arrangements or memorial services for Clarke.