Datus Clifford Smith Jr. ’29

Datus died on Nov. 17, 1999. He was 92.

He prepared for Princeton at Andover. In college, he was on the board of the Princetonian and the Theatre Intime. He was a member of Elm Club. After graduation, he became editor of the Princeton Alumni Weekly from 1931-39. He then became director of the Princeton University Press. One of his major works was launching the multivolume Papers of Thomas Jefferson, edited by Julian P. Boyd. Princeton books won praise and countless awards from both publishing and graphic arts sources.

In 1952, Datus served as pres. of the Franklin Books Program, a nonprofit organization promoting the development of book publishing in the Third World, primarily in Asia and Africa.

In 1957, he became John D. Rockefeller III's senior associate, serving as v.p. of the JDR III fund, promoting the arts and Asian-American cultural relations. After he retired in 1973, he continued to work as a consultant and volunteer with many cultural organizations.

He is survived by his daughters, Sandra Smith Opdycke and Karen, three granddaughters, and a great-granddaughter. To all of them the class offers its deepest sympathy.