Harvard dean steps down, citing illness

A longtime Harvard University leader who is interim dean of the university's largest school has stepped down as he battles cancer.

Jeremy R. Knowles, who will turn 72 later this week, told arts and science faculty professors in the last week that he is facing a recurrence of prostate cancer.

Yesterday, Harvard's interim president, Derek Bok, wrote to faculty members that Knowles's condition had worsened. Bok appointed David Pilbeam to take over for Knowles as interim dean.

Pilbeam, a paleoanthropology professor, is a longtime Harvard faculty member with administrative experience in the arts and sciences department, which includes Harvard's undergraduate college and doctoral programs. He is a senior adviser to the dean of Harvard College.

Knowles, a British-born chemist, was dean of arts and sciences from 1991 to 2002.

He agreed last spring to return to the post for one year to help Harvard through a transition to a new president.

Drew Gilpin Faust, who takes office as president July 1, is expected to choose a new dean this spring. Pilbeam will serve until June 30, a Harvard spokesman said yesterday.

Last week, Knowles sent a letter to faculty members saying the cancer he had first been diagnosed with a few years ago had returned. He expected to work from home for a week or so and then hoped to return to the office, he told them.

"I am saddened to say that in recent days Jeremy's condition has taken a turn for the worse," Bok wrote yesterday. "No one has loved Harvard more or worked more tirelessly in its behalf.

"In his absence, we will do our best to carry on with the important work of the faculty and the university, as Jeremy, more than anyone, would wish."