David Spadafora
Encyclopedia
David Spadafora is the 8th President of the Newberry Library
in Chicago, Illinois.
Spadafora is an alumnus of Williams College
(B.A., 1972), and Yale University
(Ph.D., 1981). He was born in Hamilton, Ohio
in 1951, son of Sam C. and Dorothy H. Spadafora, and grew up there, attending high school at Cincinnati Country Day School
in Indian Hill, Ohio
. Before finishing his Ph.D., Spadafora taught history at Bard College at Simon's Rock (then known as Simon's Rock Early College) in 1977-78 and at the University of Connecticut
's West Hartford
campus from 1978 to 1980. He was a research analyst for the Connecticut General Assembly
in 1980-81.
Thereafter, Spadafora returned to Yale
, as a residential college dean and lecturer in the History Department. He was acting dean of Morse College
(1982) and dean of Calhoun College
(1982-85), and then became associate dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (1985-90). His book, The Idea of Progress in Eighteenth-Century Britain, was published by Yale University Press in 1990, and was included in the Outstanding Academic Books List by Choice, a publication of the Association of College and Research Libraries.
Spadafora was a professor of history at Lake Forest College
for 15 years, serving as the dean of faculty from 1990 to 1993. Spadafora then served as the 12th President of Lake Forest College
, from 1993 to 2001. In the fall of 2001, Spadafora received a one-year teaching and research fellowship at the Newberry Library from the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM). During that time, Mr. Spadafora directed the ACM Newberry humanities seminar, which involved instructing visiting students from ACM colleges.
Spadafora assumed the presidency of the Newberry Library
in October 2005. Spadafora's scholarly interests concern the history of Western thought, and he is currently studying the tension between secularism and the Christian religion and the Christian church, with a special focus on eighteenth-century Britain.
Newberry Library
The Newberry Library is a privately endowed, independent research library for the humanities and social sciences in Chicago, Illinois. Although it is private, non-circulating library, the Newberry Library is free and open to the public...
in Chicago, Illinois.
Spadafora is an alumnus of Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
(B.A., 1972), and Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
(Ph.D., 1981). He was born in Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton is a city in Butler County, southwestern Ohio, United States. The population was 62,447 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Butler County. The city is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area....
in 1951, son of Sam C. and Dorothy H. Spadafora, and grew up there, attending high school at Cincinnati Country Day School
Cincinnati Country Day School
Cincinnati Country Day School is a private, Independent School located in Indian Hill, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati....
in Indian Hill, Ohio
Indian Hill, Ohio
The Village of Indian Hill is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and an affluent suburb of the Greater Cincinnati area. The population was 5,907 at the 2000 census. Prior to 1970, Indian Hill was incorporated as a village, but under Ohio law became designated as a city once its...
. Before finishing his Ph.D., Spadafora taught history at Bard College at Simon's Rock (then known as Simon's Rock Early College) in 1977-78 and at the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
's West Hartford
West Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The town was incorporated in 1854. Prior to that date, the town was a parish of Hartford....
campus from 1978 to 1980. He was a research analyst for the Connecticut General Assembly
Connecticut General Assembly
The Connecticut General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is a bicameral body composed of the 151-member House of Representatives and the 36-member Senate. It meets in the state capital, Hartford. There are no term limits for either chamber.During...
in 1980-81.
Thereafter, Spadafora returned to Yale
YALE
RapidMiner, formerly YALE , is an environment for machine learning, data mining, text mining, predictive analytics, and business analytics. It is used for research, education, training, rapid prototyping, application development, and industrial applications...
, as a residential college dean and lecturer in the History Department. He was acting dean of Morse College
Morse College
Morse College is one of the twelve residential colleges at Yale University, built in 1961 and designed by Eero Saarinen. It is adjacent to Ezra Stiles College. The current Master is Frank Keil, Professor of Psychology and Professor of Linguistics. The Associate Master is Kristi Lockhart...
(1982) and dean of Calhoun College
Calhoun College
Calhoun College is a residential college of Yale University.-Early history:In 1641, John Brockston established a farm on the plot of land that is now Calhoun College...
(1982-85), and then became associate dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (1985-90). His book, The Idea of Progress in Eighteenth-Century Britain, was published by Yale University Press in 1990, and was included in the Outstanding Academic Books List by Choice, a publication of the Association of College and Research Libraries.
Spadafora was a professor of history at Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries....
for 15 years, serving as the dean of faculty from 1990 to 1993. Spadafora then served as the 12th President of Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries....
, from 1993 to 2001. In the fall of 2001, Spadafora received a one-year teaching and research fellowship at the Newberry Library from the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM). During that time, Mr. Spadafora directed the ACM Newberry humanities seminar, which involved instructing visiting students from ACM colleges.
Spadafora assumed the presidency of the Newberry Library
Newberry Library
The Newberry Library is a privately endowed, independent research library for the humanities and social sciences in Chicago, Illinois. Although it is private, non-circulating library, the Newberry Library is free and open to the public...
in October 2005. Spadafora's scholarly interests concern the history of Western thought, and he is currently studying the tension between secularism and the Christian religion and the Christian church, with a special focus on eighteenth-century Britain.