James Pinckney Harrison

HARRISON, James Pinckney, passed away on May 5, 2010 in New York City. A longtime Manhattan resident, James was born in Richmond, Virginia on July 20, 1932 to James Pinckney and Nellie Meade Harrison. He attended St. Christopher's and Woodberry Forest schools, received his B.A. from Yale University in 1954 and his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1965. He was professor of history at Hunter College, CUNY for 30 years. James served in the United States Air Force and was discharged as 1st Lieutenant in 1957. He had a lifelong love of flying and in addition to three books on Asia (including The Long March To Power, a history of the communist revolution in China and The Endless War, a book on Vietnam) he wrote Mastering the Sky, a history of aviation. His most recent book was a fictional memoir based on his extensive travels in Italy and France. James also served as chairman of Amnesty International USA from 1972 to 1974. He is survived by three daughters, Connie, Claire and Eve, from his first marriage to Joy Hull Harrison; and two daughters, Olivia and Alicia, from his second marriage to Chantal Dubertret Harrison; and his companion of many years, Frances Gallagher. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jesse, George and Zac Meyer, Amanda and Matthew Morton; his sister, Roxanne Mitchell and her family; and cousins, Bill Harrison, Cecile Newman and their families, all of whom he deeply loved and who will greatly miss him. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 11, at 1 p.m. at Westover Church, Charles City, Virginia, with a reception to follow at Dogham Farm. Arrangements are being handled by Bliley's - Central Funeral Home, (804) 355-3800.


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