McDiarmid, E. W. (Errett Weir), 1909-2000

E. W. McDiarmid is a former professor in the University of Minnesota Library School, and a past president and active member of the American Library Association.

Errett (Mac) Weir McDiarmid, B.A. (1929) and M.A. (1930) Texas Christian University; A.B. Emory University (1931); Ph.D. University of Chicago (1934). University Librarian and Director of the Division of Library Instruction (1943-1951), Dean of the College of Science, Literature and the Arts (1951-1963), Director of the Graduate School Fellowship Office (1964-1976), Professor Emeritus (1963-1978) at the University of Minnesota. Librarian, Baylor University (1934-1937). Assistant Professor, Associate Professor (1937-1943), Assistant Director (1941-1943), University of Illinois Library School.

Errett McDiarmid was born July 13, 1909 in Beckley, West Virginia. He received a B.A. (1929) and M.A. (1930) in history from Texas Christian University, an A.B. in library science from Emory University in 1931, and a Ph.D. in library science from the University of Chicago in 1934.

He worked as a Librarian at Baylor University from 1934 to 1937 and then accepted the position of Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Library School. In 1941, Dr. McDiarmid was named Associate Professor and Assistant Director of the Library School, and he held those positions until 1943, when he accepted the appointment as University Librarian and Director of the Division of Library Instruction at the University of Minnesota. The Board of Regents named Dr. McDiarmid as Dean of the College of Science, Literature and the Arts in 1951, for which he left his position with the University Library and Division of Library Instruction. Dr. McDiarmid resigned from his deanship in 1963 and remained with the University as Professor Emeritus in the Library School and as Director of the Graduate School Fellowship Office until his retirement in 1978.

As University Librarian, Dr. McDiarmid was active in campus affairs and national library organizations. He was known and respected at the University for his work to upgrade the entire University Library system, and he served in several leadership positions with the American Library Association, including President from 1948 to 1949. He received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Texas Christian University in 1956.

A noted Sherlock Holmes scholar, Dr. McDiarmid donated his personal Holmes collection of more than 15,000 items to the University Libraries in 1995. He and four colleagues formed the Norwegian Explorers in 1947, a Sherlock Holmes society patterned after the international Sherlockian club the Baker Street Irregulars, which Dr. McDiarmid became a member of in 1957.

Errett McDiarmid died on April 27, 2000 in St. Paul, Minnesota.