RICHARDSON, LYON NORMAN (20 July 1898-16 Aug. 1980) found time to run the university libraries while serving as a distinguished professor of American literature at CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV. Born in Andover, O., he returned following his graduation from Western Reserve Univ. to edit the Kinsman Journal and then assume the principalship of Andover High School.
In 1923, the year he married the former Helen Hartman, he returned to WRU as an English instructor, earning his master's there and then his doctorate in 1931 from Columbia Univ. His books included A History of Early American Magazines (1931) and Henry James (1941). He was also co-author of a 2-vol. textbook, The Heritage of American Literature (1951).
At WRU, he served as faculty adviser to the Reserve Tribune, asst. dean of Adelbert College, and head of the university press. Though lacking a library degree, he was named director of the university libraries from 1946-67. Under his tenure the Mather and Cleveland College libraries, together with parts of the Case Library, were consolidated into the university system, easing the path to the federation of Case and WRU in 1967.
As full professor of English since 1946, Richardson helped to establish and became head of the university's Program of American Culture until his retirement in 1969. He was on the exec. council of the American Studies Assoc. from 1959-61 and chaired the American literature section of the American Language Assoc. in 1965.
Before moving in 1974 to Laguna Hills, Cal., he spent a year as visiting professor at Duquesne Univ. He was survived by his wife and a daughter, Cora Ella Scott.