Remembering John W. Frick

 Our community mourns the passing of Dr. John W. Frick. 

After receiving his PhD from New York University, Dr. Frick joined the faculty of the University of Virginia in 1991 where he worked until his retirement in 2013. He was an award-winning scholar and teacher who published monographs including New York's First Theatrical Center: The Rialto at Union Square, Theatre, Culture and Temperance Reform in Nineteenth-Century America, and Uncle Tom's Cabin on the American Stage and Screen (ATDS Book Award 2012). He served ATDS in various roles, including as ATDS President from 2006-9. ATDS renamed its yearly book award in his honor in recognition of his scholarship and contribution to the organization and the field.  

I was fortunate to get to know John when he was ATDS President and I was serving as ATDS's graduate student representative. He was a generous, kind, and thoughtful mentor. As remembered in our membership meeting on July 13, he also was a valued friend and colleague to many ATDS members and known for his generosity, rigorous scholarship, and sense of humor. I am glad that we were able to hold a moment of silence in his memory during the membership meeting and that we will continue to recognize and honor him through the John W. Frick Book Award. 

Michelle Granshaw

ATDS President