Dorothy M. Drake, Scripps College emerita librarian, died at home in Spring Valley, California, on March 14, 1999. She was 94 years old.
Drake was the Scripps College librarian from 1938 until her retirement in 1970. During her 32 years of dedication and service to Scripps she inspired many students to become collectors and librarians. She also brought in many fine collections and gifts to the Denison Library to supplement the humanities curriculum and the college’s rare book collection. Drake was instrumental in establishing the Scripps Press and worked with internationally known Frederick Goudy to design a distinguished Scripps type. Because of her efforts, Scripps is one of the few campuses in the nation to have a working press and its own typeface. Drake is also responsible for the founding of the Phi Beta Kappa Theta chapter on campus in 1962.
Born in Canton, Illinois, Dorothy Drake graduated magna cum laude from Knox College, the alma mater of Ellen Browning Scripps. She received her M.A. from Claremont Graduate School and pursued further graduate study at the University of Chicago, USC, and UCLA. She was active in many national organizations and served as president of the California Library Association and on the executive boards of the American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Librarians. She also helped organize the Social Affairs Library at the United Nations.
In 1969, the new wing of Denison Library was named for Dorothy Drake in recognition of her profound contributions to the college and to generations of Scripps students. The college honored Drake again in 1979 when she was named the recipient of the Ellen Browning Scripps Award for her service to the college. In 1984, the year of her 80th birthday, her many friends established the Dorothy Drake Scholarship Fund at Scripps. Of this latter honor, Scripps President Nancy Y. Bekavac said, “This is a special tribute to a woman whose legacy endures in the lives of her students, and in the exceptional collections that we enjoy in Denison Library.”
Dorothy Drake is survived by her sister, Mildred Drake teGroen; and brother-in-law Emil teGroen of Palo Alto, California; and nieces Christine Mitchell and Carolyn Griset. Contributions in memory of Dorothy Drake may be sent to Scripps College in support of the Dorothy Drake Scholarship, Office of the President, 1030 Columbia Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711.
A memorial service in honor of Dorothy Drake’s life and work will be held on the Scripps College campus on Saturday, June 5, at noon in Denison Library.