David William Foster: Scholar, Mentor and Friend of the Library

David William Foster (1940-2020), who helped build the Spanish and Portuguese programs now housed in the School of International Letters and Cultures, became a Regents’ Professor of Spanish and Women and Gender Studies at Arizona State University in 1991. Foster worked closely with the Latin American Specialists in the ASU Library to build research collections related to cultural studies in Argentina and Brazil. He was a trailblazer who published groundbreaking research in the larger fields of Latin American studies and LGBTQ studies. Among his publications are over 50 book-length, single-authored critical studies, bibliographies and anthologies; more than 36 edited and co-edited anthologies; and numerous articles and translations. 

To commemorate Foster’s pioneering scholarship and giving spirit, the Hayden Library exhibit will combine a short biography, shelves of the books written by Foster and photographs from his life.   

This exhibit is open to all ASU Students, Faculty, Staff and the public during library hours.