Former librarian dies at age 83

Donn Michael Farris, the former librarian of the Divinity School Library, died Saturday, March 5, 2005. He was 83.

Farris served as librarian from 1950 to 1992. During his time at Duke, he bought about 250,000 books for the library, according to his own estimates. Farris was also a member of the American Theological Library Association and served as the organization’s president from 1962 to 1963. He founded the ATLA’s newsletter in 1993 and served as its editor until 1993. Farris also edited Aids to a Theological School Library, which was published in 1958 and reprinted in 1969.

Born in 1921 in Welch, W. Va., Farris graduated from Berea College in 1943. He received his Masters of Divinity in 1947 from Garrett Theological Seminary and his Masters of Library Science in 1950 from Columbia University. He also studied at Northwestern University and participated in the doctoral program in religion at Yale University.

Surviving Farris are his wife, Joyce; his son Evan Michael Farris, his daughter-in-law Susan; and his daughter Amy Virginia Kilbride, his son-in-law Patrick; and his grandchildren Autsin, Sean and Kelsea.

A memorial service was held Wednesday afternoon in the York Chapel. Memorial contributions can be made in Farris’ name to the Divinity School Library.