Dorsey Alexander ’37

Dorsey Alexander died Jan. 18, 2009, in Mendocino, Calif.  

He was born in Clarksburg, W.Va., and attended the Calvert and Gilman schools in Baltimore. At Princeton he was on the wrestling team.

After graduating from Princeton, Dorsey worked for various newspapers and some insurance companies. He enlisted in the Air Force, and after his service returned to his first love — art. He studied at the University of California, earning an M.F.A.  

His wife, Joyce, described him as a capable artist and designer who “became an expert calligrapher and publisher.” His wife was his illustrator, and they produced 24 books under the name Turtle’s Quill Scriptorium. He also taught calligraphy at the University of California College of Arts and Crafts.  

Dorsey had a deep interest in abstract art and animation, resulting in his recognition by the Guggenheim Museum and the University of California’s Pacific archive, which holds two of several films produced by Dorsey.  

To Joyce and all Dorsey’s friends, we express our loving sympathy and fond remembrances.