Franklin Littell ’37

Franklin Littell ’37, scholar and founding member of the Holocaust museum, died May 24, 2009, at his home in Merion Station, Pa. He was 91.

The eldest son of Clair “Judge” Littell, legendary Cornell professor of history and political science and an ordained Methodist minister, Franklin Littell was prominent in ecumenical and interfaith activities for more than 50 years. His life’s work was the advancement of religious liberty and the exposure of persecution.

He served 10 years in the American occupation of post-war Germany and held advanced degrees from Union Theological Seminary and Yale University and was once president of Iowa Wesleyan College, a Methodist-affiliated institution. He was the first American scholar to teach courses on Holocaust and genocide studies and established the nation’s first Holocaust studies doctoral program. Littell also authored more than two dozen books and hundreds of major articles.

Littell is survived by his wife, Marcia Littell; sisters Marge Littell Schmiel ’47 and Claire Littell Stout ’47; daughters Jeannie Lawrence, Karen, and Miriam Littell; son Stephen; stepsons Jonathan Sachs and Robert Sachs Jr.; stepdaughter Jennifer Sachs Dahnert; and 11
grandchildren.