Dr. Merchant by Gene RobertsonFrank Merchant was born in 1910 in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended Brown University and graduated with a BA, cum laude, in 1931. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and proudly wore his key most of his life. After college he moved to New York where he worked as a free lance writer for newspapers and magazines. He was one of the editors of "Smoke" magazine.
In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 45th Infantry Division, 157th Infantry Regiment, Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon, also known as "the coffee coolers". His nickname was "the professor" fitting since later he would obtain a Phd and become a college professor. He was one of the four originals in his company to return from Sicily and Italy. He fought through two beach landings and was awarded two bronz stars.
After the war he settled in Denver, Colorado where he attended the University of Denver and earned a doctorate degree. He spent several years as the public relations director for the Colorado State Highway Department and wrote a brief history of highways in Colorado. But teaching had always been his first calling. He spent a brief time at Mayville Teachers College in Mayville, North Dakota. He was recruited in 1960 by Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky to be the head of the English Department. He taught there for sixteen years. He was a regular speaker at for the National Council of English Teachers. In summers he made trips to Mexico and Spain. He spent a sabatical at the Univeristy of Heidelberg, Germany, and was the Fulbright Guest at the German-American Studies Conference at Bochum. After his retirement in 1976 he stayed in Barbourville and continued to write.
All through his life he wrote these poems. His chief muse was his wife, Christine. His subjects were the war, his work, and his family. The poems are windows into his life and thinking. At the age of 80 he died in 1991.
If I ever met a person who I considered to be genius, Frank Merchant was the guy.
Karl Merchant
Dear Mr. Merchant,
ReplyDeleteI have a letter of your father's to novelist John Williams I'd like to share with you: cjs1994@earthlink.net
All the best,
Charles J. Shields
A great man and remarkable teacher, Dr. Merchant was one of my English instructors during my Freshman year at Union College (1975-76). While many of my classmates considered him intimidating, I enjoyed both his instruction ,and his insights about writing when we'd chat after class, ...which was often. I respected him very much, and considered myself blessed that he would try to maintain a connection with me after he'd retired. A truly great man.
ReplyDeleteJust found this, while searching former classmates and instructors from college. Dr. Merchant was one of my English professors during my Freshman year at Union College. Initially , I expected to be afraid of him, or, at least , wary of him, because of stories I'd heard from previous students of his. But, he was one of my favorite teachers, ever. He respected my efforts in his class,,and wouldn't hesitate to let me know if I was lacking. I excelled in his class, and enjoyed our talks about life and writing ,after instruction would be done for the day. He was a remarkable teacher, and a great person.
ReplyDeleteI had Dr. Merchant for 101 and 102 in 73 and 74. English Lit I in 74. American Lit I in 75 , and English Lit II in 75. I was not one his best students, but he was one of my favorite teachers! RIP Dr. Merchant! I think of you often...
ReplyDeleteFrank taught with my grandfather Robert Matthews. Christine was my grandmother’s best friend. She always brought me candy when she came over to play cards and other games. One summer I hung out with one of her grandsons who was older than me. I think his name was Russell. I impressed Christine with my Boggle playing skills. I am sure I met Frank at their house once.
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