F.O. Matthiessen commits suicide.

The Harvard English professor, critic, and political activist jumps from the 12th floor of the Hotel Manger. A resident of 44 Pinckney Street, Matthiessen had suffered from depression and was despondent at the recent death of his lover. Also affected by the accusation that he was a Communist, Matthiessen is subsequently called “The first academic victim of the Cold War.”