The Daily Catch

James Budd Hardin, 1940 – 2022


Obituary

James Budd Hardin died at his Washington, D.C. home surrounded by family on Monday, April 4, 2022. The son of Mary Elmendorf Budd and Benjamin Warner Hardin, Jim was born October 19, 1940, in Rhinebeck, New York. Jim was a resident of Washington, DC for 44 years. Jim is survived by his sister-in-law, Teresa Marie Hardin of Fishkill, New York; his nephew William Michael Hardin and his wife Amy Catherine Hardin of Round Rock, Texas; his nephew Jeffrey Scott Hardin and wife Christina Janette Hardin of Orlando, Florida; his grand-nieces Madison, Emma, and Violet Hardin of Round Rock, Texas; cousins Eugene Budd, Jr. of Harbeson, Delaware, and John H. Myers of Germantown, New York; and many loving friends. Jim is pre-deceased by his brother, Peter Warner Hardin of Fishkill, New York.

Jim spent his early childhood on the Elmendorf / Budd family farm in Red Hook, New York as well as Lima, New York, where his father worked as a traveling representative for the New York State Dairyman’s League Cooperative. Jim returned to Red Hook in 1947 with his mother and brother after his father died unexpectedly. Although the farm
had been sold by that time, the Hardin family lived in the house next door. Throughout his adult life, Jim would make frequent trips back to Red Hook to visit friends and see how things had changed (or in some cases, remained exactly the same).

Jim graduated from Red Hook Central School in 1958. He held a B.A. in English from Colgate University (1962) and M.A. (1967) and Ph.D. (1976) degrees in English and American literature from Syracuse University, where he wrote a dissertation on the theme of enlightened self-interest in the stories and novels of Henry James. He taught composition, introduction to literature, and surveys of British and American literature at Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, and the University of Richmond. Jim served in the US Army Intelligence Corps in Stuttgart, Germany, and worked for McGraw-Hill Book Company as a sales representative in Virginia. At the Library of Congress, where he spent the bulk of his career, Jim specialized in folklife publications and public information presentations. He was the associate editor of the Quarterly Journal of the Library of Congress, the editor of Folklife Annual and of Folklife Center News, and the author of The American Folklife Center: An Illustrated Guide and many articles on the collections and activities of the Folklife Center and Library of Congress. In 2004, after twenty-six years of federal service, Jim retired from the Library of Congress, but couldn’t stay away for very long. He soon returned as a docent, conducting guided tours and sharing his passion for the Library. Jim was also an active member of the Capitol Hill Village volunteer-based local organization that engages neighbors to build a vibrant, inclusive and age friendly community that empowers everyone to thrive and live meaningful, purposeful lives.

Jim’s love for books and writing were prevalent in all aspects of his life. He had a vast collection of over 3,000 books in his home. Jim was no casual reader; he would immerse himself in his books – underlining, highlighting, as well as making notes in the margins. Jim also played an integral role in helping his nephews and niece through their schooling; from reading and helping to shape high school papers to reading and
discussing 18th century gothic novels required for graduate courses, Jim was always there to support and help his family. In addition to authoring the Illustrated Guide for The American Folklife Center, he edited many periodicals and handbooks for the Folklife Center and the Capitol Hill Village, and he wrote over 30 articles for publications such
as The Encyclopedia of The Library of Congress, Library of Congress Information Bulletin, Library of Congress Gazette, and the Hill Rag.

Jim also enjoyed music and singing throughout his life. He sang and played guitar and piano with friends for fun, but also enjoyed a singing career as a member of the Congressional Chorus, Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington, Capitol Hill Choral Society, Colgate Chapel Choir, the Colgate 13, and was a member of the Macht’s Nichts (Mox Nix) Three signing ensemble in the US Army. Jim also performed at the
Kennedy Center Honors.

Jim was honest, kind, gentle, supportive, loving, hilarious, and always provided lots of laughs and thoughtful conversations – even until the end. His wisdom, honesty, and candor were among his top qualities but most of all, Jim wanted to be remembered for his two defining characteristics, his sense of humor and his curiosity.

Jim loved spending time with friends and family; however, his wishes were not for a memorial service of remembrance or a funeral, but rather that his friends and family would remember on their own the great times they each shared with him. You are invited to honor his memory by making donations in Jim’s name to the Capitol Hill
Village, 1355 E Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-543-1778, or email info@capitolhillvillage.org.

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