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Francis Osborne Richardson '56

May. 2, 1934-Mar. 19, 2006

Francis Osborne Richardson ’56, an educator and world traveler who, in retirement, pursued a second career as a dealer in Oriental rugs, was born Frank Raymond Richardson on May 2, 1934, in Jamaica, NY. A son of Frank A. and Catherine Osborne Richardson, he enrolled at Hamilton in 1952 from Pulaski, NY, where he had been graduated from Pulaski Academy and Central School. Frank Richardson, who joined ELS, became known to his fellow Emersonians as “a veritable verbal guillotine” for his razor-like wit. As for extracurricular activities, “if they didn’t bother him, he didn’t bother them,” in the words of The Hamiltonian. Having majored in English, he left the Hill with his diploma in 1956.

After Hamilton, Francis Richardson was briefly employed as a school librarian before entering the U.S. Army’s enlisted ranks for two years of military service. He subsequently strengthened his academic credentials by earning an M.A degree in English literature from Middlebury College in 1969. By that time he had already embarked upon a career in education, both in the classroom and in administration, first in New York State and eventually extending to international schools in Europe and the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. He traveled extensively, and lived much abroad, absorbing diverse languages and cultures along the way. His special interest was Islamic culture, which he assiduously studied.

Some 25 years ago, Francis Richardson settled in Greenville, NY, not far from New York City, and, utilizing contacts he had made in the Middle East, engaged in the buying and selling of Oriental rugs. While “putting my feet up on my own hearth in the boonies,” he enjoyed music, reading, and his collection of Persian art. He was also fond of bicycling, gardening, and cooking.

Francis O. Richardson, who never lost his highly individualistic sense of humor nor his penchant for firmly expressing his conservative views, died on March 19, 2006, of heart-related causes, at his home in Greenville. Unmarried, he is survived by his brother, Robert O. Richardson ’61, as well as two sisters and nieces and nephews.

Necrology Home

Note: Memorial biographies published prior to 2004 will not appear on this list.



Necrology Writer and Contact:
Christopher Wilkinson '68
Email: Chris.Wilkinson@mail.wvu.edu

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