James Harrison

Dr. James Geraty Harrison, 86, of Spartanburg, SC, died Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, at Spartanburg Medical Center from complications due to the Coronavirus.

A native of Charleston, SC, he was the son of the late Dr. James G. Harrison Sr. and Evelyn Eichhorn Harrison.

Dr. Harrison is a graduate of Rivers High School in Charleston, SC. After receiving his undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill (Phi Beta Kappa), he went on to receive an M.A. in Classics from Harvard University, an M.S. in Library Sciences from Simmons College, and a Ph.D. in Classics from UNC Chapel Hill.

An Associate Professor Emeritus of Classics at Converse College (now Converse University), he enjoyed teaching Latin, Greek, and Classical Studies to generations of Converse students between 1970 and his retirement in 2002. He was also the Head Librarian of Converse College from 1974 until 1992, and as such, supervised the construction of Mickel Library in 1980. In 1995 he became the first Archivist of Converse College, a job which he continued on a parttime basis in his retirement.

He lavished attention on the gardens of Converse College while he taught there, and his home garden in Converse Heights was admired by all. He wrote a gardening column called “All Pleasures Prove” for the Daniel Morgan Register, was a Master Gardener, and spoke to a number of local garden and civic clubs about gardening. His other passions were genealogy and South Carolina history, and he had been an active member and former president of the local chapter of the Alston Wilkes Society as well as a member of the Spartanburg Historical Society.

Predeceased by his wife, Nancy Fitch Harrison, he is survived by his son, Robert G. Harrison, of Selma, Texas; his daughter, Rachel H. Harrison (David Pharris), of Minneapolis, Minnesota; his brother, Dr. Joseph M. Harrison, of Sullivan’s Island; his brother-in-law, Dr. Lewis T. Fitch, of Clemson; and several grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held at a future date.

In remembrance of James’ life, .the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Uplift Outreach Center of Spartanburg.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel