The University of Virginia, Special Collections

Those who spend their lives understanding, structuring and writing about collectible paper are often insufficiently appreciated. Recently I learned that the University of Virginia Board of Visitors has approved a measure at their 5 June 2026 meeting that casts a bright light on such contributions. Congratulations!

FREDSON BOWERS PROFESSORSHIP IN BIBLIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES

(approved by the Academic and Student Life Committee on June 4, 2026)

WHEREAS Jon A. Lindseth is a passionate book collector who has longstanding connections to the University’s Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, the Department of English, and the Rare Book School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lindseth and his late wife, Virginia “Ginny” MacDonald Lindseth, amassed a collection of Bronte books, manuscripts, letters, and original artworks that he donated to the Special Collections Library, forming the basis for an exhibit that will open in October 2026; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lindseth also made a gift to support the Fredson Bowers Professorship in Bibliographical Studies and a fellowship named for Mr. Bowers, who was a faculty member in the Department of English from 1938 until 1975 and founded the Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia in 1947; and

WHEREAS Mr. Bowers was one of the most influential scholars of his generation and a pioneer in the study of physical manuscripts and books as historical objects and was credited with investing the modern methods that are used to compare versions of documents and editions to determine their priority and authority; and

WHEREAS Mr. Lindseth’s gift for the professorship was supplemented with funds from a bequest of Ruthe Rootes Battestin, who died in 2024, to the Bibliographical Society of UVA, and whose late husband, Martin Battestin, was a faculty colleague of Mr. Bowers in the English department;

RESOLVED, the Board establishes the Fredson Bowers Professorship in Bibliographical Studies in the Department of English in the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and thanks Mr. Lindseth and the late Mr. and Mrs. Battestin for their generosity.

Congratulations all around.