John B. Duff
Encyclopedia
John Bernard Duff is an American historian born in South Orange, New Jersey
on July 1, 1931 to John Bernard Duff, Sr. and Mary Cunningham Duff. He is the oldest of four brothers, including Thomas, Joseph and Peter Duff. He graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School in 1949.
He married Helen Dorothy Mezzanotti in Worcester, Massachusetts
October 8, 1955.
A historian, he received a B.S. from Fordham University
(NY), a M.A. from Seton Hall University
(NJ), and a PhD from Columbia University
(NY).
In 1970, following a decade as a professor of history at Seton Hall University
, he was appointed vice-president for Academic Affairs. In 1973, Duff became the first lay provost and executive vice-president in the history of Seton Hall.
In 1976, he became the first president of the new University of Lowell, in Lowell, Mass., which would later become the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Duff was elected as the first chancellor of the Board of Regents in Massachusetts in 1981 and served there until 1986. On November 12, 1985, he was the first non-librarian appointed as the commissioner of the Chicago public library system
. While at that post, he supervised the construction of the Harold Washington Library
, the world’s largest public library.
Duff became president of Columbia College Chicago
in September 1992. During his tenure at Columbia College, he oversaw the acquisition of the college's first modern residence hall, led its first long-range planning effort and expanded its local and national development initiatives. He also served as vice-chairman from 1994–1996 and as chairman from 1996-1998 of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities. Also during his time, the institution changed its name from Columbia College to Columbia College Chicago, effective October, 1997.
He is the father of six children: Michael John Duff, Maureen (Reenie) Ellen Duff, Patricia Jean Duff Bernacki, John Andrew Duff, Robert Matthew Duff and Emily Anne Duff. Duff currently resides in La Quinta, California
, with his second wife Estelle Shanley.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
on July 1, 1931 to John Bernard Duff, Sr. and Mary Cunningham Duff. He is the oldest of four brothers, including Thomas, Joseph and Peter Duff. He graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School in 1949.
He married Helen Dorothy Mezzanotti in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
October 8, 1955.
A historian, he received a B.S. from Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
(NY), a M.A. from Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
(NJ), and a PhD from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
(NY).
In 1970, following a decade as a professor of history at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
, he was appointed vice-president for Academic Affairs. In 1973, Duff became the first lay provost and executive vice-president in the history of Seton Hall.
In 1976, he became the first president of the new University of Lowell, in Lowell, Mass., which would later become the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Duff was elected as the first chancellor of the Board of Regents in Massachusetts in 1981 and served there until 1986. On November 12, 1985, he was the first non-librarian appointed as the commissioner of the Chicago public library system
Chicago Public Library
The Chicago Public Library is the public library system that serves the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 79 branches, including a central library, two regional libraries, and branches distributed throughout the city....
. While at that post, he supervised the construction of the Harold Washington Library
Harold Washington Library
The Harold Washington Library Center is the central library for the Chicago Public Library System. It is named for former Mayor Harold Washington. It is located just south of the Loop 'L', at 400 S. State Street in Chicago. It is a full service library and ADA compliant. As with all libraries in...
, the world’s largest public library.
Duff became president of Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is one of the largest art colleges in the United States with nearly 12,000 students pursuing degrees within 120 undergraduate and graduate programs...
in September 1992. During his tenure at Columbia College, he oversaw the acquisition of the college's first modern residence hall, led its first long-range planning effort and expanded its local and national development initiatives. He also served as vice-chairman from 1994–1996 and as chairman from 1996-1998 of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities. Also during his time, the institution changed its name from Columbia College to Columbia College Chicago, effective October, 1997.
He is the father of six children: Michael John Duff, Maureen (Reenie) Ellen Duff, Patricia Jean Duff Bernacki, John Andrew Duff, Robert Matthew Duff and Emily Anne Duff. Duff currently resides in La Quinta, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, with his second wife Estelle Shanley.
Publications
- The Structure of American History (1970) ISBN 0690691378
- The Nat Turner Rebellion: The Historical Event Controversy (1971)
- The Irish in the United States(1971) ISBN 053400038X
- Slavery: Its Origins and Legacy(1957, 1975) ISBN 0690004583