Mark Owen Lee, also known as M. Owen Lee and Father Owen Lee (May 28, 1930 – July 25, 2019), was an American-Canadian classics and music scholar and Roman Catholic priest.
M. Owen Lee | |
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Born | 28 May 1930 Detroit |
Died | 25 July 2019 (aged 89) Toronto |
Alma mater | |
Lee was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on May 28, 1930 to Robert Leo Lee and Helen (née Miller) Lee.
Father Lee was a member of the Basilian Fathers (C.S.B.) from 1951. He was the first person to be awarded a PhD in Classics at the University of British Columbia (in 1960), a professor emeritus of classics at the University of Toronto, a holder of four honorary degrees, and an author of more than 20 books on various subjects, such as opera, Richard Wagner, and Der Ring des Nibelungen.[1][2]
Lee was also active as a commentator on musical topics. He was especially well known for his many contributions as intermission commentator, pianist, and quiz panelist on the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts.[3]
Lee died in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 25, 2019 at the age of 89.[2]