Frances Farmer

Frances Farmer (December 5, 1909 – ) was an American law librarian and professor. From 1944 to 1976, she headed the library at the University of Virginia School of Law, responsible for its growth, modernization, and prestige. She was also the first female full professor at the University of Virginia School of Law. Early life, education, and career Frances Farmer was born on December 5, 1909, in Keysville, Virginia, the daughter of Florence Womack Farmer and Horatio Weldon Farmer, a wheelwright, auto mechanic, and insurance agent. She graduated from John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia, in 1927 and earned a B.A. in history from Westhampton College at the University of Richmond in 1931. She went on to the University of Richmond School of Law, the only woman in her law class. She graduated in 1933 and was awarded the O.H. Berry Medal for "best all-around graduate in law." She passed the bar in December 1933. Farmer began working as a part-time secretary to Ray Doubles, Dean of the University of Richmond Law School, while still in school. Unable to find employment as a lawyer during a time when it was difficult for women to do so, she continued working for Doubles after graduation. She began working as assistant law librarian with responsibility for much of the work of the library, including collection development and bookkeeping. In 1934, she took a course Law Library Administration at the School of Library Service at Columbia University. In 1938, she became the law librarian. She was also very active in civic affairs in Richmond and was an officer or board member of numerous organizations: the Richmond Branch of University Women (AAUW) (1934-36), the Virginia Consumers' League (1935), the Virginia Social Science Association (1935), the Virginia Women's Council of Legislative Chairmen of States Organizations (1936), the Richmond League of Women Voters and the local Y.M.C.A. Her work with these organizations included public speaking, radio interviews, and legislative testimony.