Philip Baxter Meggs

Philip Baxter Meggs, 60, died on Sunday, November 24, 2002 after a brave fight against leukemia. A native of Florence, South Carolina, he was born on May 30, 1942. He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Libby Phillips Meggs; his parents, Wallace Nat Meggs and Elizabeth Pruitt Meggs of Florence, South Carolina; two children: son, Andrew Philip Meggs of Tustin, California; and daughter, Elizabeth Wilson Meggs of Richmond, Virginia; his two brother, William Joel Meggs and spouse, Susan Martin Meggs of Greenville, North Carolina; sister, Elizabeth Meggs Lever and husband, David Lever of Lexington, South Carolina; brother, Wallace Nathaniel Meggs Jr. and wife, Judy Baggett Meggs of Laurens, South Carolina; and many nieces and nephews. He was outstanding in all that he did as a teacher, writer, designer, historian, artist, husband and father. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and an honorary doctorate from Massachusetts College of Art. In 1968, he began teaching in the Communication Arts and Design Department at Virginia Commonwealth University, chairing the department from 1974 to 1987, during which time enrollment doubled and the program rose to national prominence. In addition to his teaching at V.C.U., he served as visiting faculty at Syracuse University and the National College of Art Design, Dublin. His first book, A History of Graphic Design, was published in 1983, and remains today the definitive work on that subject. He wrote over a dozen books and 150 articles and papers on design and typography, including the section on graphic design in the Encyclopedia Britannica. He was a brilliant designer and artist whose work was included in the Art Director’s Club Annual, Graphics Annual, and Print Magazine’s Regional Design Annual. Since 1993, he proudly served on the United States Postal Service’s Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, which recommends subjects and designs for United States postage stamps. In 1996, he was awarded the University Award of Excellence, V.C.U.’s highest faculty award that recognizes distinguished achievement in teacher, scholarship, and service. Most recently, he was inducted into the Art Directors Hall of Fame, receiving their Educator’s Award for lifetime achievements that significantly shaped the future of the fields of design education and writing. Although he is best known for his books, he said, "Of all the things I’ve been involved in, I am most proud of my children and my students." The family will receive visitors Tuesday evening, November 26, at Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Road, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, at the same address. Interment will follow at Dale Memorial Cemetery. A special memorial service at Virginia Commonwealth University will be held next week, details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Philip B. Meggs Scholarship Fund, care of the Communication Arts and Design Department at Virginia Commonwealth University, 325 N. Harrison Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.