Retirement

Edward Connery Lathem '51, a librarian at the College for 25 years, the college librarian for nine, and dean of the college libraries since 1973, will take early retirement at the end of the next academic year.

While stressing his "great indebtedness and deep devotion" to Dartmouth, Lathem wrote President Kemeny that he is "thoroughly persuaded that the Library should benefit from a timely change of administration." His retirement, coinciding with that planned by Adelaide B. Lockhart, director of library services, will give "added flexibility and scope in restructuring the library's top administrative corps," he added. President Kemeny, expressing his sense of personal and institutional loss, replied that Lathem's "departure after more than a quarter century of invaluable service ... will leave a void that will be extremely difficult to fill."

Recipient of a master of science degree in library service from Columbia and a D. Phil, from Oxford, Lathem joined the Baker Library staff the year following his graduation. A noted chronicler of Robert Frost '96, he has edited or compiled 25 books, including eight on the life and works of his mentor and friend. His edition of The Poetry of Robert Frost, published in 1969, is as close to definitive as any to date.

His retirement is to be effective June 30, 1978, close to the time when he completes his term as president of the Association of Research Libraries.

Lathem completes a trio of members of the Class of 1951 grown restless in their administrative posts. Frank Smallwood, for two years vice president and dean for student affairs, has announced his intent to return to full-time teaching in government and urban studies at the end of the current academic year. In 1975 he agreed to become acting vice president for one year only, but he was prevailed on to remain in office for a second year. Charles E. Breed, director of the Alumni Fund since 1973 and for 11 years previous an associate director, has resigned to join a private fund-raising firm. His resignation will take effect in August, after the close of the 1977 Alumni Fund drive.

Rollins Chapel in February: "Some say the world will end in fire,/ Some say in ice.'