David L. Holmes

American church historian (1932–2023)

For the American football player, see Dave Holmes (American football).

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David L. Holmes

Born| (1932-08-28)August 28, 1932

Detroit, Michigan

Died| April 29, 2023(2023-04-29) (aged 90)

Williamsburg, Virginia

Education|

* Michigan State University (BA)
* Columbia University (MA)
* Princeton University (PhD)

Occupation(s)| Professor, Historian

David L. Holmes (August 28, 1932 – April 29, 2023) was an American church historian. He was Walter G. Mason Professor of Religious Studies at the College of William and Mary. He was married to Carolyn Coggin Holmes, executive director of James Monroe's Highland from 1975 to 2012. They had two daughters.[1]

## Education

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Holmes held degrees in English from Michigan State and Columbia universities and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Religious Studies from Princeton University. He also studied theology at Duke University Divinity School and received honorary doctorates from Lycoming and Hood colleges.[2] He served as an enlisted man and officer in the United States Army.

## Early career

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Before joining the William & Mary faculty, Holmes taught English for several years at Carnegie Mellon University. Over the years, he has also taught on multiple occasions as a visiting professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia.

## William & Mary

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At William & Mary, Holmes received the Society of Alumni Teaching Award, the Thomas A. Graves Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching, the Seven Society Award, the Outstanding Faculty Award of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Thomas Jefferson Award.[3] The latter is the highest honor given by Jefferson’s alma mater to an administrator or professor.[4] Lisa Birnbach’s The College Book: A Preppy Guide to American Colleges named Holmes as one of the three best classroom teachers at William & Mary.[5] Holmes revived the Bishop Madison Society (founded 1812), the Skull and Bones of William & Mary.

Holmes wrote the academic best-seller, A Brief History of the Episcopal Church (1993),[6] the best-selling The Faiths of the Founding Fathers (2006),[7] and the highly regarded The Faiths of the Postwar Presidents: From Truman to Obama (2012).[8] He also wrote Glimpses of a Public Ivy: Fifty Years at William & Mary (2022) (hardcover published by Schiffer Publishing). Upon his retirement he was named Walter G. Mason Professor of Religious Studies, emeritus.

## Retirement

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Known even after retiring for his polished lecturing style and ability to engage audiences, Holmes spoke extensively to public libraries, adult education classes, and church and synagogue groups. He lectured at such colleges and universities as Lafayette, Michigan, Washington & Jefferson, Rhodes, DePaul, Grove City, Kent State, Furman, and Samford.[9][10] He was invited to speak at the libraries or homes of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Franklin Roosevelt, Ford, and Carter. Research libraries at which he spoke include the Clements and the Newberry.

Upon his retirement, Holmes’s former students established the David L. Holmes Reformation Studies and American Religious History Endowment to honor "his tenure and 46 years of intellectual legacy at the College [of William & Mary]."[11]

## References

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1. ^ "Notice on the passing of David L. Holmes". W&M News. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
2. ^ Seurattan, Suzanne (2010-05-28). "Prof. David Holmes honored by Hood College | William & Mary". Wm.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
3. ^ Williard, David (2008-02-07). "Holmes honored with Jefferson Award | William & Mary". Wm.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
4. ^ "Thomas Jefferson Teaching Award | William & Mary". Wm.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
5. ^ Lisa Birnbach's New and Improved College Book: Lisa Birnbach: 9780135382400: Amazon.com: Books. ISBN 0135382408.
6. ^ "A Brief History of the Episcopal Church: David L. Holmes: Trinity Press International". Archived from the original on 2017-08-03. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
7. ^ "The Faiths of the Founding Fathers | Reviews". The Oxford University Press USA.
8. ^ The Faiths of the Postwar Presidents: From Truman to Obama (George H. Shriver Lecture Series in Religion in American History) [Hardcover]. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 0820338621.
9. ^ nadministrator (2016-02-18). "William and Mary professor to present A.J. Head Lecture in Humanities Oct. 1". News. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
10. ^ "Follow Calling to Avoid Life of Quiet Desperation, Holmes Tells Students". Samford University. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
11. ^ "William & Mary - David Holmes Retiring". Archived from the original on 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2011-02-23.

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