David Anthony Downes (August 17, 1927 - April 30, 2015) was an American author. He also wrote under the pen name David Anton.
Born to David and Julia Downes in Victor, Colorado in 1927, he grew up...ver maisDavid Anthony Downes (August 17, 1927 - April 30, 2015) was an American author. He also wrote under the pen name David Anton.
Born to David and Julia Downes in Victor, Colorado in 1927, he grew up in Victor and attended Regis College in Denver, Colorado. He received his Master’s Degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and his Doctorate from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington in 1955. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree in 1997 from Gonzaga University.
Dr. Downes taught in the English Department at Seattle University for 13 years, the last three years of them as Head of the Department. He moved to Chico, California with his family in 1968 to become Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of California at Chico, dedicated to his love of teaching and writing.
In the early 1950’s, at Gonzaga University, Dr. Downes learned of Gerard Manley Hopkins, a British Priest Poe, and became enthralled with his poetry, which carried him through his entire career. He subsequently became well-known and honored worldwide through his published works on Hopkins.
He married Audrey Ernst in Evergreen, Colorado in 1949 and the couple had four children: May Kay, Jane, Dan and Michelle.
Dr. Downes passed away in Chico, California, in 2015 at the age of 88.ver menos