Publication Date
2-23-2016
Abstract
Griffiths recalls that Myers had the "urge to collect" and built collections purposefully, even to the point of paying a higher price to fill a gap. Recalls Myers discarding books, one of which he has, but suspects it was only if Minor had duplicates. Reflects on the influence Myers had on faculty, through emphasis on and support for scholarship, and on students and facilities. Also discusses being present during meetings about the book auction, the last conversation he had with Myers and the one book he received as a gift after Myers' illness. The idea of wearing chrysanthemums at the memorial service for Myers was Griffiths'.
Duration
01:01:43
Keywords
personal characteristics, leadership, faculty support, funding decisions, collector, lots, books, cookbooks, coins, stamps, eBay, collecting attributes, auction, libraries, librarians, weeding, end-of-life, impact, influences, students, faculty researchers, Portrait of a Collector, Faculty, Administratos
Disciplines
United States History
Recommended Citation
Griffiths, Thomas and Miner, Meg, "Thomas Griffiths" (2016). All oral histories. 100.
https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/oral_hist/100
Comments
An abstract of this interview is available below. A transcription is available to download and is above and to the right. An essay summarizing themes that emerged from interviews conducted about Myers in 2016 is available: Portrait of a Collector: Reflections on an Influential Bibliophile.
This interview subject is affiliated with IWU and/or President Myers in the following ways: Professor of Biology, 1981-2007; Belling Chair of Natural Sciences, 1996 or 1997; Associate and then acting Dean of the Faculty, 2001-2007.