Faculty Profile
Name: Richard J. Cox
Position: Professor, Archival Studies
Education: BA in English and History from Towson
University, Masters in History from the University of Maryland, Ph.D. in Library
Science from the University of Pittsburgh
Research interests: Archives and records
management, history of archives, libraries and the information profession,
public memory and archives, library administration, archives, records management,
information policy and ethics
How he became interested in these subjects: In 1957
(when he was very young), his family went to Colonial Williamsburg. This
trip sparked his interest in history, and he knew that he wanted to devote
his life to something concerned with history and the humanities.
Family: He has a wife, Lynn, and a daughter,
Emma. Emma will be going to Penn State this fall.
What he likes about Pittsburgh: The city has
all the characteristics of a large city--cultural activities and sports--yet
remains affordable. He also appreciates the orientation of the city
towards neighborhoods and families.
Hobbies: Golf, visiting antique stores and flee
markets, book hunting, and collecting gargoyles. According to Dr.
Cox, the best find he ever discovered while antiquing was the top of a lightening
rod, which he described as "a beautiful piece of folk art."
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint chocolate chip
Book he is currently reading (as of Feb. 5): Bias:
A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distorts the News by Bernard Goldberg
Favorite Books: Frederick Jackson Turner: Historian,
Scholar, Teacher by Ray Allen Billington, and Melville's Moby Dick
Favorite TV Show: Everybody Loves Raymond
The Final Question: What else would he
like students to know about him? Dr. Cox would like students to know
that he is committed to the historic role of the university as a repository
of human knowledge. He is a critic of the corporate model of the university,
which places profit above learning.
Bibliofile thanks Dr. Cox for agreeing to this interview.
It was a pleasure to meet him.
Publication of the Department of Library &
Information Science
University of Pittsburgh
135 N. Bellefield Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Last updated February 10, 2003