Wadsworth, James E. (James Edgar), 1909-1995

James E. Wadsworth was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1935; served in the United States Navy during World War II; and was housing officer and director of housing, 1946-1973, for the University of North Carolina. He coordinated and moderated a science program at WUNC-TV, 1954-1969, and was narrator of programs at the Morehead Planetarium.

From the description of James E. Wadsworth papers, 1909-1995 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 48955944

James E. (James Edgar) Wadsworth was born in Moore County, N.C., near Pinehurst on 16 December 1909. During the Great Depression, he attended the University of North Carolina and worked at several jobs to pay his tuition. One of those jobs was acting as a chauffeur for Chancellor Robert B. House. Through this job, he met the chancellor's niece, Lallah Palmer, whom he married four days after he graduated with a B.A. in education in 1935.

James and Lallah Wadsworth had two children, James, Jr., and Ann, born in 1939 and 1943 respectively. Wadsworth taught biology for seven years at Durham High School while he earned a Masters of Education degree from the University of North Carolina. He received the M.Ed. in 1941.

In 1942 and 1943, Wadsworth attended and helped organize the Navy Pre-Flight School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He went into active duty in the South Pacific, where he fought from 1943 until 1945, rising to the rank of commander.

Upon his return to the United States, Wadsworth was appointed Housing Officer at the University of North Carolina. This was a new office made necessary by the influx of World War II veterans into higher education. In 1956, Wadsworth was named Director of the Housing Office. He was head of housing at the University until he retired in 1973. During this time, Wadsworth was also a narrator at the Morehead Planetarium and was the host of WUNC-TV's educational program, Science and Nature, for 15 years, 1954-1969.

After his retirement from the University of North Carolina, Wadsworth worked part-time at Foushee Realty and continued his volunteer work with the Red Cross and Kiwanis Club. Wadsworth died in Wilmington, N.C., on 28 August 1995.

From the guide to the James E. Wadsworth Papers, 1942-1976, (Southern Historical Collection)