University of Virginia Library

Shannon Takes Leave
To Study Tennyson

By Debbie Kroner

President Edgar F. Shannon, Jr., will
leave the University on October 28 for
England on a special grant under a new
program of the Danforth Foundation.
During his two-month absence, Frank
Hereford, Provost of the University, will
become the Acting President.

There are two main reasons for Mr.
Shannon's visit to England. The first is to
compile information on Alfred Lord Tennyson.
This past summer, some new manuscripts by
the 19th Century poet were discovered and are
being kept at Cambridge.

In addition to his research, Mr. Shannon will
attend the 90th birthday party of Sir Charles
Tennyson, the grandson of the famous writer.
This event will take place on November 12, and
Mr. Shannon and his wife will extend their
birthday wishes at that time.

Sir Charles visited the University a few years
ago and gave a special lecture to the University
community.

This will not be the first time that Mr.
Shannon has been to England. He received his
Ph.D. from Oxford University where he was a
Rhodes Scholar. In addition to this, he has
done extensive research on the literary career
and letters of Alfred Lord Tennyson and
teaches a course on the poet each year.

According to Mrs. Shannon, the President
chose this period, November through December,
for two reasons. At the time of his
departure, the University's Sesquicentennial
events will be completed and Sir Charles'
birthday celebration will not have been missed.

The purpose of the Danforth Foundation
Grant is to offer university administrators an
opportunity to become more aware of the
issues facing education both in the present and
in the future. Also, the administrators will be
able to "renew their inner resources for
continued leadership in higher education."