Edgar Finley Shannon Jr. (June 4, 1918 – August 24, 1997) was a professor of English and president of the

University of Virginia The University of Virginia (UVA) is a Public university#United States, public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the university is ranked among the top academic institutions in the United S ...

from 1959 to 1974.Obituary, New York Times.

Biography

Shannon attended

Washington and Lee University , mottoeng = "Not Unmindful of the Future" , established = , type = Private liberal arts university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $2.092 billion (2021) , president = William C. Dudley , provost = Lena Hill , city = Lexingto ...

as an undergraduate, where he was an initiate of

Omicron Delta Kappa Omicron Delta Kappa (), also known as The Circle and ODK, is one of the most prestigious honor societies in the United States with chapters at more than 300 college campuses. It was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University in ...

. He also studied at

Merton College, Oxford Merton College (in full: The House or College of Scholars of Merton in the University of Oxford) is one of the Colleges of Oxford University, constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the ...

, on a

Rhodes Scholarship The Rhodes Scholarship is an international postgraduate award for students to study at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. Established in 1902, it is the oldest graduate scholarship in the world. It is considered among the world' ...

from 1947 to 1950. While at Oxford, Shannon played for the Oxford University Men's Basketball Team. He was a veteran of the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

, having served on the U.S.S. ''Quincy'' during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. He joined the faculty of the University of Virginia in 1956.Dabney, p. 422 ff. Accomplishments during his administration include the establishment of the University of Virginia Press,Dabney, p. 390. the establishment of the Center for Advanced Studies, and the creation of the Echols Scholar program. Shannon also oversaw significant increases in the value of the endowment; in 1962, a survey by the American Association of University Professors ranked the university first in the value of its endowment in proportion to its enrollment.Dabney, p. 425 ff. One of Shannon's most significant legacies to the university was a building program that included the construction of Gilmer Hall, the Chemistry Building, Wilson Hall, the architecture building (Edmund S. Campbell Hall); the Fiske Kimball Library; the university's nuclear reactor; University Hall; the "new dormitories" (Alderman Road and Observatory houses), as well as additions to many university buildings and the purchase of the Old Ivy Inn and Birdwood.Dabney, p. 570 ff. The restoration of the Rotunda to its original state was funded and work was begun during Shannon's administration. Shannon's presidency encompassed the 1960s, and he helped to lead the university's response to social trends of the time. As President, Shannon resigned his membership in the Farmington Country Club over its refusal to admit black members,Dabney, p. 480. and worked to increase recruiting of black students and faculty.Dabney, p. 480-482. He also initiated undergraduate coeducation over the protests of alumni.Dabney, p. 490-493. He is perhaps most remembered for his response to growing student unrest over the Vietnam War, during which he sent a letter to President Nixon opposing the invasion of Cambodia.Obituary, Virginian Pilot. In 1980 he was given the Laurel Crowned Circle Award, Omicron Delta Kappa's highest honor.
He is buried at the

University of Virginia Cemetery The University of Virginia Cemetery and Columbarium is a cemetery on the grounds of the University of Virginia, located at the intersection of McCormick Road and Alderman Road. In operation since 1828, during the earliest days of the university, ...

Notes

References

* Dabney, Virginius. ''Mr. Jefferson's University: A History''.

Charlottesville Charlottesville, colloquially known as C'ville, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is the county seat of Albemarle County, which surrounds the city, though the two are separate legal entities. It is named after Queen Cha ...

: University of Virginia Press, 1981. . *
Edgar Shannon, Ex-President of UVA, Dies
. ''Virginia Pilot'', August 25, 1997, p. B4. *

, ''New York Times'', August 26, 1997. {{DEFAULTSORT:Shannon, Edgar University of Virginia faculty Washington and Lee University alumni American Rhodes Scholars Presidents of the University of Virginia 1918 births 1997 deaths Burials at the University of Virginia Cemetery