David L. Holmes

Who is David L. Holmes?

A church historian, David L. Holmes is Walter G. Mason Professor of Religious Studies, Emeritus, at the College of William and Mary. He is the son of David L. Holmes, a university coach and director of athletics revered by his athletes. He is married to Carolyn Coggin Holmes, executive director of Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe, from 1975 to 2012.

Holmes served both as an enlisted man and as an officer in the United States Army. He holds degrees in English from Michigan State and Columbia universities and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Religious Studies from Princeton University. He also studied theology at Duke University Divinity School and received honorary doctorates from Lycoming and Hood colleges.

Known for his clear lecturing style and ability to hold the attention of audiences, Holmes has spoken at numerous colleges, libraries, and book festivals, and delivered several commencement addresses. He has also taught at Carnegie Mellon University and as a visiting professor on multiple occasions at the University of Virginia.

At William & Mary, Holmes received numerous teaching awards, including the Graves Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching, the Outstanding Faculty Award of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Thomas Jefferson Award, the highest honor given by Jefferson’s alma mater to an administrator or professor.