University of Virginia Library

MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR MR. EDGAR F. SHANNON, JR.

• The following resolution was adopted:
• WHEREAS, Edgar Finley Shannon, Jr. was born in
• Lexington on June 4, 1918; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Shannon took a B.A. summa cum laude from Washington and Lee University in 1939, an M.A. from Duke University in 1941 and, after distinguished and heroic service in the United States Navy during the Second WorldWar, another M.A. from Harvard University in 1947; and
• WHEREAS, as a Rhodes Scholar, Mr. Shannon was a Member of Merton College, Oxford University, from which he took the D.Phil. in 1949; and
• WHEREAS, in 1996, Oxford University awarded Mr. Shannonits highest honorary degree, the Doctor of Letters; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Shannon joined the faculty of the University of Virginia in 1956 as an associate professor of English; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Shannon was elected the fourth President of the University in 1959; and
• WHEREAS, during his presidency, the University grew
• in size and stature, opening wider its doors to women and minorities, attracting a renowned faculty and enlarging and improving its physical facilities; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Shannon retired from the presidency in 1974 and returned to full time teaching and research as Commonwealth Professor of English, enhancing a reputation he had already established in this country and abroad as a leading Tennyson scholar; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Shannon continued to serve the University, Virginia, and the nation as a member of numerous boards and commissions; and
• WHEREAS, Mr. Shannon died in Charlottesville on August 24, 1997;
• RESOLVED that the Board of Visitors notes with sorrow the death of Edgar Finely Shannon, Jr. and expresses its appreciation and admiration of his life and service, and for his contributions to the University of Virginia.