A graduate of Emory University, James E. Warren, Jr., taught in the Upper School English Department from 1959 to 1974 and chaired the department for his entire tenure. He also served as faculty advisor to The Signature, Lovett's literary magazine.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Warren wrote numerous poems and literary articles, along with a dozen volumes of poetry, four textbooks, and several translations of Latin and Greek classics. He devoted his life to literature, poetry, and education.

More than 30 years after his passing, Mr. Warren's work is still part of daily life at Lovett. Every time the Lovett Hymn is performed at a school function, it is his words that are sung. The hymn's line "by the river's gleaming" refers to the Chattahoochee River, which forms the western border of Lovett's campus. His choice of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" as the melody feels especially fitting as Lovett celebrates its centennial.

When he retired, the school honored Mr. Warren by creating the Warren Garden, once located between the Upper School and Administration buildings. Lovett also presents the James E. Warren Award for Creative Writing to a deserving Upper School student each year during Senior Honors Night.

By: Lloyd Brown ’75