URI professor emeritus of history James Findlay passed away in August at the age of 93. Known for his booming voice and commitment to social justice, he was a stalwart in the Department of history for three decades.

Jim, who grew up in Springfield, Missouri, earned his bachelor’s degree at Drury College and his master’s degree at Washington University in Saint Louis, where he met and married his wife of 65 years, Doris. He earned his Ph.D. in U.S. history at Northwestern University.

Jim began his teaching career at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he and Doris worked together for racial equality, voting rights, and educational equity. During his career, he published numerous scholarly articles and two Pulitzer Prize-nominated historical monographs, “Dwight L. Moody: American Evangelist, 1837-1899” and “Church People in the Struggle: The National Council of Churches and the Black Freedom Struggle.”

Jim, Doris and their family moved to Rhode Island in 1971, when Jim joined the URI faculty, retiring in 1999. Colleagues in the history department recently shared some memories of his days in Kingston.

Michael Honhart, professor emeritus of history, remembers Jim as already an experienced and accomplished scholar when he joined the history department. Findlay was hired as a professor and department chair, heading the department for three years during a challenging period that saw divisions in the department and university. He served as department chair also at various times during his career.

“Jim proved to be a thoughtful and compassionate colleague and an effective leader,” says Honhart. “He had by his own admission a strong voice, but he was also a good listener.”

Medieval scholar Joelle Rollo-Koster recalls Jim’s voice in another context. He was the first person–after longtime history professor Bob Gutchen–that she met during her job interview at URI in 1996.

“We sat in what used to be the history lounge and the first thing I remember is his imposing size and booming voice! And somewhat to my ear a Southern accent. If I remember well, the conversation ended on French food and wine,” says Rollo-Koster, who was raised in Toulon, France.

“Everybody talks about his booming voice, which was very true, but behind that voice was an accomplished scholar who was kind and nurturing to his students and also to his younger colleagues,” says professor Rod Mather. 

One such colleague was associate professor Evelyn Sterne, who arrived at URI as Jim was nearing retirement. The two shared research interests in religion and immigration, and Jim was a kind and supportive mentor to her for many years, she says.

Along with his commitment to social issues of the day, Jim was well-known around campus and outspoken on campus-wide issues at times. In the 1990s, says Honhart, the faculty were encouraged to adopt collaborative research methods. “Jim defended what he called ‘lone wolf’ research projects conducted by individuals.”

As an instructor, Jim introduced new courses on immigration, ethnicity, religion, and civil rights that contributed to a general shift toward social history in the curriculum, says Honhart.

Professor emerita Marie Jenkins Schwartz remembers Jim’s dedication to social issues.

“Jim’s strong moral compass informed his work and life,” she says. “His belief in civil rights, equity, and equality for all was a lifelong commitment manifested in scholarly research, teaching, and volunteer activities. It was my honor and joy to know him as both colleague and friend. His booming voice and enthusiasm for making the world a better place will be greatly missed.”

Read the full obituary here