Dr. Dorothy V. Jones passed away early in the morning on Saturday, October 11, 2025. She was just short of 98 years old. Devoted daughter of the late Guy and Margaret, née Magnuson, Vincent, she was born December 14, 1927, in Washington, DC. Her childhood and young adult years were spent in different towns in Kansas. Dorothy lived a full life.
Dorothy spent most of her adult life in academia. Up until 2021, she listed herself as an "Independent Scholar." From 1986 to 2015, she served as Scholar-in-Residence at The Newberry Library in Chicago. From 1991 to 2005, she also worked as a History Department Associate at Northwestern University in Evanston. In 1971, she earned a Master's degree in Social History at the University of Missouri - Columbia. In 1979, she was awarded her Ph.D. in U.S. Diplomatic History from The University of Chicago. This was followed by a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship for two years.
She published three books, all through the The University of Chicago Press, from 1982 to 2002: License for Empire, Code of Peace, and Toward a Just World, winning awards for the last two books. She also published a catalog, Splendid Encounters, for an exhibition at Regenstein Library at The University of Chicago.
Dorothy served on the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs and on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Council's journal, Ethics and International Affairs. Dorothy was also invited to a number of seminars, presentations, discussions, and written contributions, from Georgetown UP, the Swedish government, Heinrich Boll Foundation, and The Newberry Library, to list just a few. Dorothy was a 50-year member of the American Historical Association. Up until 2023, she was working on a book exploring the interaction between civil society and the military in years 1850 to 1900.
Dorothy really enjoyed gardening and music. She lived with her late husband, Bob, in the same house in Evanston for 50 years. Dorothy and Bob were involved with Lake Street Church in Evanston all that time, where Dorothy sang in the choir for 40 years.
Beloved wife of the late Robert R.; loving mother of Mark A. (Nanette) and the late Daniel Jones.
Memorial Service, Friday, October 24, 2025, at 2 p.m., at Lake Street Church, 607 Lake St., Evanston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lake Street Church, Attn: Daniel Jones Memorial Music Fund, 607 Lake St., Evanston, IL 60201 (lakestreet.org) or The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60610 (newberry.org).
Funeral info: 847.673.6111 or habenfuneral.com to leave a condolence message. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy, please visit our floral store.

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Karen Pitman

5 hours ago

Although we were not close physically, Aunt Dorothy and I became close emotionally. Aunt Dorothy and my father kept in touch on a regular basis, writing letters and sending cards. They supported each other through the deaths of their respective beloved spouses, It was at this time I started a correspondence of my own. I was always impressed with her skill with the written word. She could make the most everyday things interesting. I could almost envision sitting beside her as she told about the birds outside or her flowers. She was a gifted and special lady. I will miss her.