Background
Richards, James McDowell was born on November 6, 1902 in Statesville, North Carolina, United States. Son of Charles Malone and Jane Leighton (McDowell) Richards.
Richards, James McDowell was born on November 6, 1902 in Statesville, North Carolina, United States. Son of Charles Malone and Jane Leighton (McDowell) Richards.
Graduate, McCallie School, Chattanooga, 1918; Bachelor, Davidson (North Carolina) College, 1922; Doctor of Divinity, Davidson (North Carolina) College, 1933; Master of Arts, Princeton University, 1923; Bachelor, University of Oxford, England, 1925; Master of Arts (Rhodes scholar), University of Oxford, 1930; Bachelor's Degree, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia, 1928; Doctor of Laws, King College, 1956.
Pastor successively at Clarkesville, Nacoochee and Helen, Georgia, 1928-1931. Pastor 1st Church, Thomasville, Georgia, 1931-1932. President Columbia Theological Seminary, professor practical theology, 1932-1971, president emeritus, form 1971.
Member permanent committee on Christian relations, chairman committee on Negro work Presbyterian Church United States, 1947-1950, chairman board church extension, 1950-1956. Moderator General Assembly, Presbyterian Church United States, 1955-1956, Southeast Synod, from 1973, member board world missions. Vice president Federal Council Churches Christ American, 1942-1944, member executive committee.
Member general board National Council Churches, 1950-1952.
President board of trustees Davidson College, 1940-1966, also member Executive Committee. Board of directors Presbyterian Ministers Fund, Philadelphia. Member Rotary, Phi Beta Kappa, Kappa Alpha, Omicron Delta Kappa.
Married Mary Evelyn Knight, December 31, 1929. Children: James McDowell, Mary Makemie, Charles Malone World War II.