We are sorry to announce the death of Garnett McCoy, curator emeritus, who played a central role at the Archives of American Art for many decades.
Garnett McCoy, 1963, in the Detroit offices of the Archives of American Art.
Garnett’s Royal typewriter, in the Washington, D.C. offices of the Archives of American Art, serves as a daily reminder of his prolific writing, his style, and dislike of the computer.
Garnett, editor of the Archives of American Art Journal from 1963 until his retirement in 1993, died on January 3rd. Garnett served in many capacities at the Archives. He was hired as an archivist in 1962 and soon took over the organization’s membership bulletin, which in his hands quickly became a more ambitious publication.
Garnett marked the Journal (as it became in 1964) with his own easygoing but deliberately pitched voice. Not much given to declarations of any kind, he gave readers real substance, based on primary documents, presented with clarity and precision. Deeply committed to political engagement, for example, he expressed his interest not by editorializing but by publishing, over decades, his own writing and writing by other scholars, many of whom were guided by Garnett to undiscovered subjects, materials of study, and new ideas. Along the way, he cultivated qualities that are now out of fashion: understatement, literary felicity, and a finely judged sense of historical context and appropriateness.
Garnett was an unusual mix of old and new and a man of graceful habits. He nearly always wore a jacket and carried a pocket knife and handkerchief. He swam at a place called the Capitol East Natatorium, whose name suited him perfectly, and rode his bicycle to and from the office. He told fabulous stories, often about long-dead artists, and, when he was in the right mood, he was a ready and satisfying gossip.
Garnett’s accomplishments—and also his elegant modesty—were exemplary, and he made a contribution to the Archives and scholarship that is difficult to measure. I urge anyone with stories or memories of this erudite and self-possessed man (he used to say that a gentleman never hurries) to leave a comment on this blog post.
Darcy Tell is editor of the Archives of American Art Journal.
very good post but I stumbled upon this article quite by accident
Posted by: Zorunlu Trafik Sigortası | Monday, May 30, 2011 at 05:14 AM
Thank you for sharing this about Garnett McCoy with us, i dindt know much about Garnett McCoy as i know now
Posted by: | Monday, June 06, 2011 at 11:38 AM
wow what a picture i like yar
vey nice this blog .thanks for shearing
Posted by: | Tuesday, June 07, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Garnett McCoy was indeed a man of substance and I was blessed to have read several of his magazines. Now I wish I had done more than browse, rest well Garnett.
Posted by: Trendsi | Tuesday, June 07, 2011 at 03:48 PM
I really appreciate your post and you explain each and every point very well.Thanks for sharing this information.And I’ll love to read your next post too.
Regards, Lorie Garcia
Posted by: | Friday, June 10, 2011 at 06:42 AM
nice tribute article on Garnett, thanks for sharing his history and acknowledgments...
Posted by: | Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 06:07 PM
Mr. McCoy was clearly a remarkable man. I stumbled upon this article quite by accident, but was pleased to learn more about him.
Posted by: | Monday, June 20, 2011 at 12:34 PM
You wrote an excellent tribute to Mr. McCoy. Incidentally, he's compiled a very nice book, "Archives of American Art: A Directory of Resources," which is a good reference. Thanks also for the great images, which were so descriptive of the man.
Posted by: Ian Gachet | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 12:50 AM
very nice article and instructive knowledge on Garnett. Thank you very much
Posted by: Alexa | Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 06:13 AM
It's always great to find interesting blogs with engaging content like yours. Thanks.
Posted by: | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 06:29 AM
A great man, worth learning from.
Posted by: Denis | Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 11:38 AM
I did not know about Garnett McCoy before but your posting showed me what a great person he actually was!
Posted by: Rechtsanwalt Göttingen Northeim Duderstadt | Friday, July 01, 2011 at 11:56 AM
I didn't know about Garnett McCoy after reading this blog I have come to know that he was really very good person. It engenders a feeling of fond nostalgia for, perhaps, more genteel times and life....though I'm happy not to have to use the old typewriters!
Posted by: Daniel | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 03:52 PM
RIP.
Posted by: Carrie | Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 12:11 PM
wow...the snapshots are real good..!!
Posted by: | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 06:32 AM
Yes, a great contribution to American Art from a tireless worker but can't imagine how it would be to spend most of ones life working in the past.
Posted by: JP Adams | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Greate post! i really enjoyed it!
Greatings from Spain
Posted by: | Friday, July 22, 2011 at 05:09 AM
Nice blog, Thank you very much for sharing
Posted by: rahul | Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 06:48 AM
You will be missed, but your great contributions will live on....
Posted by: | Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 08:36 PM
Nice description of him. I like the part that says he liked swimming and he always wore hat and suit. Rest in peace.
Posted by: gui | Monday, July 25, 2011 at 03:21 AM
He is a great man, R.I.P. Sir!
Posted by: | Monday, July 25, 2011 at 05:38 AM
May the Good Lord bless and keep you Sir Garnett McCoy! Rest in Peace. Amen!
Posted by: | Monday, July 25, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Great Post... any type of commemorative post in memory of another is always a good read and welcome in my books.
Posted by: Mike | Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 12:11 PM
I have not heard of him...now I know. Very inspirational. You write very well and explain things very good. Thanks so much!
Scott
Posted by: Scott | Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Thanks alot. Useful post.
Posted by: Alex Rodruiges | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 02:32 PM