Martha Brill Olcott, leading scholar in central-Asia and post-Soviet politics, dies at 74

Martha Brill Olcott, 74, a professor in the James Madison College, died on Feb. 5 in her home surrounded by family. Olcott was a leading scholar with a breadth of knowledge and involvement in nationality issues in Central Asia and the USSR as well as Muslim studies.

The news of Olcott’s passing was sent out in an email on behalf of JMC Dean Cameron Thies on Thursday, Feb. 8. The email offered condolences to Olcott’s family and called her “an especially fine mentor.”

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