Donald Tate Siebert Jr.

Dr. Siebert was born on October 26, 1940, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the son of Donald Tate Siebert and Dorothy Jane Grubbs Siebert. He grew up in Muskogee, attending public schools there, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of the Arts (with distinction) and Master of the Arts. He received the Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Virginia (1972). He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1964-1969 and later retired from the U. S. Naval Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

He taught at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1967-1969, at the University of Virginia from 1970-71, and at the University of South Carolina from 1972-2002, retiring as Distinguished Professor of English Literature Emeritus.

A specialist in the literature and intellectual history of the 17th and 18th centuries, Siebert was the author of numerous books and essays, including a prize-winning book on David Hume (1990) and a well-reviewed book entitled Mortality’s Muse (2013). More recent publications also include a chapter on “David Hume as Historian” in the Oxford Handbook on David Hume (2016).

He served as a volunteer reader at the S.C. Radio for the Blind, a member of the Columbia Community Concert Band, and a docent for many years at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where he was also a member. After retirement he taught courses at the University of South Carolina, at the University of Bamberg, Germany, and at the Shepherd’s Center of Columbia. He donated part of his collection of rare books to the Thomas Cooper Library of the University of South Carolina.

He was predeceased by his parents and his late wife, Joan Markham Siebert. He is survived by his wife, Annette Kennedy Siebert, his daughters Suzannah Siebert Eleazer (Christopher), Margaret Markham Siebert; a sister, Judith Siebert Principe (Mario); as well as Julian Doty Cate (Preston), Gordon Logan Doty II (Meredith), and Robert McMillan Kennedy Doty (Melanie); nine grandchildren; and a number of good friends.

Siebert’s family and friends remember him as a man with a self-deprecating sense of humor and a generous heart. He often said that he loved nature and animals, and sometimes, even despite himself, most of his fellow humans.

The family plans a private memorial service.

Memorials may be made to the Thomas Cooper Society of the University of South Carolina, or to the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, the Wildlife Federation, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.