University of Virginia Library

CLIFTON WALLER BARRETT MEMORIAL RESOLUTION

The following resolution was adopted:

• WHEREAS, Mr. Clifton Waller Barrett served with great distinction as a member of the Board of Visitors from 1969 to 1979 and as Chairman of the Board's Educational Policy Committee; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett, a native of Alexandria and an alumnus of the University, earned an international reputation as a shipping executive and gave unselfish and distinguished service to his country in this capacity during the Second World War; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett began in 1939 to collect books and by 1950 had clearly become the leading collector of literary Americana; and

---

4284



• WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett first gave part of his collection to the University of Virginia in the early fifties, a gift which has continued over the years until 1991, when the last installments were presented to the University; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett's gifts to the University have been housed in the Barrett Library, which was opened in 1960; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett's collection contains approximately 112,000 manuscripts and 35,000 books, a collection of unparalleled richness in American literature; and
• WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors in March, 1991, created the Clifton Waller Barrett Professorship in honor of Mr. Barrett and his devotion and service to the University; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett died on November 6, 1991;
• NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Visitors honors the memory of Clifton Waller Barrett, recognizing the importance to the University of his interest and support during most of his life.