Happy spring, ’99s!

The last signs of frost are fading for many of us as spring shows signs of life. I hope you’re all making the most of it! We have a few updates to share.

First, Chris Warren writes that he has embarked on a new project, following publication of his book Literature and the Law of Nations: 1580-1680 by Oxford University Press last year. Building on the well-known game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” Chris has launched a new website called “Six Degrees of Francis Bacon” (http://sixdegreesoffrancisbacon.com), which explores links between British historical figures from the 16th to 18th centuries. When you enter a name of a historical figure, such as William Shakespeare, you see links with other historical figures, their historical significance and relevant sources. “Six Degrees of Francis Bacon” has been featured in several publications, including the Daily Mail and Smithsonian Magazine.

Matthew Erie writes that he has settled well into his life at Oxford, since becoming an associate professor of modern Chinese studies last fall. His book, China and Islam: The Prophet, the Party, and Law, will be published by Cambridge University Press this spring. This book, based on 20 months of fieldwork, is the first ethnographic study of the contemporary practice of Islamic law among Chinese Muslims known as Hui. Reflecting the theme of this issue of Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, I asked Matthew to reflect on his time at Dartmouth, and he said that his fondest memories were spent sitting in Sanborn reading well-worn English novels or ethnographies. This sparked his desire to pursue a scholarly life. He did find it challenging, though, to reconcile the oasis of privilege that is Hanover with its impoverished surroundings. All in all, he said: “I appreciate Dartmouth for its incredible capacity to awaken young people to the larger world, but I also left Dartmouth realizing that whether and how a young person engages with that world really depends squarely on her or him.”

I will close this issue of Class Notes with my own reflections of life at Dartmouth. I grew up very quickly when I came to Hanover; the culture shock of moving to Hanover from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, felt much like plunging into Occom Pond in the depths of winter, but I became a much better person because of it. My friends, my classmates and others at Dartmouth taught me how small the world really is, how to test my own beliefs and how to learn from others. Above all, I learned how to learn—and that is something that I have carried with me ever since. We as a class are a great community, and what I love most about Dartmouth is being a part of that.

That is all the news for now. I hope you’re enjoying the spring weather and look forward to sharing more updates with you soon!

—Tony Perry, 38 Halton Wood Road, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5QJ, United Kingdom; tony.j.perry.99@dartmouth.edu