WALLACE FINLEY DAILEY

DAILEY, Wallace Finley Age 85, of Acton, passed away on December 20, 2025. The son of the Rev. James Albert Dailey and Frances Wallace (Borton) Dailey, Wallace attended Groton School, Form of 1958. He graduated from Harvard University with an AB (Phi Beta Kappa) and AM in English Literature; and an M.S. in Library Science from Simmons College. Wallace had a distinguished career as a librarian and curator in the Widener and Houghton libraries of Harvard University, and was Curator of the Theodore Roosevelt Collection from 1971-2012, for which he received the Rose Award for outstanding service in 1996. He was an archivist for the Massachusetts Archives from 1988-2025, retiring in late November just weeks before his death. His publications include "Pocket Diary: Theodore Roosevelt's Private Account of the War with Spain." Wallace was an avid reader of English and American literature, a book collector, musician, and devotee of Baroque music. A violinist from the age of nine, he was among the first class of young students to enroll in the Preparatory School of the New England Conservatory of Music. He continued his violin studies at Groton School, and was a member of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra during his college years. In later years, he often played for services in the Episcopal churches of Belmont, Watertown and Acton, where he was an active member. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara (Ritter) Dailey; son, Samuel Borton Dailey; sister, Sarah Elizabeth Brabson; nephews, Allen and Evan Dailey; and cousins, Schuyler Borton and Mary Dakos. His brother, Timothy Borton Dailey, predeceased him. Wallace will be sadly missed by his family, friends and colleagues. A Memorial Service will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd, Acton on Saturday, April 11, at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Groton School (Groton Fund) or to the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC Fund). www.actonfuneralhome.com