13 Facts About Carl Blegen

Carl William Blegen was an American archaeologist who worked at the site of Pylos in Greece and Troy in modern-day Turkey.

Carl Blegen directed the University of Cincinnati excavations of the mound of Hisarlik, the site of Troy, from 1932 to 1938.

Carl Blegen's father was a professor at Augsburg College in Minneapolis for more than 30 years and played a major role in the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America.

Carl Blegen was then assistant director of the American School between 1920 and 1926; during his tenure he excavated at Zygouries, Phlius, Prosymna, and Hymettos.

In 1927, Carl Blegen joined the faculty of the University of Cincinnati.

Carl Blegen was professor of classical archaeology at the University of Cincinnati from 1927 to 1957.

In 1965 Carl Blegen became the first recipient of the Archaeological Institute of America's Gold Medal for archaeological achievement.

Carl Blegen was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1941 and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1959.

The Carl Blegen Library is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.

The library has curated an exhibit named Discovering Carl Blegen which includes images from Blegen's major campaigns in Troy and Pylos as well as his work and life at UC and abroad.

In 1923, Carl Blegen proposed marriage to Elizabeth Denny Pierce, whom he had met at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens; Pierce initially accepted but then ended the engagement as she did not wish to end her long-term relationship with Ida Thallon.

Carl Blegen is buried in the Protestant corner of the First Cemetery of Athens, together with Elizabeth Pierce Blegen.

Carl W Blegen bequeathed a large collection of his documents to the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.