One of the most difficult and troubling realities of the “Been in the Storm So Long” project, (our ongoing examination of the history of theological education for blacks at Yale Divinity School), has been the fact that many YDS alums, faculty, and supporters that we have been blessed to interview are no longer with us. We emphasize the term blessed because we often felt a very real sense of awe and grace as we sat (often literally) at their feet. As they shared memories of their experiences of YDS and recounted how these experiences impacted their subsequent personal and professional lives, we were deeply moved.
The Storm Project’s “In Memoriam” List includes (but is not limited to):
Dr. Josephus Coan, ‘33 B.D.
Dr. Richard I, McKinney, ‘42 Div.
Letty Russell, YDS faculty 1974-2001
Rev. Dr. A. Knighton Stanley, ‘62 B.D.
We were saddened to hear that Dr. William Augustus Banner ‘38 B.D. joined this list upon his death October 14, 2013 at the age of 98. Dr. Banner was one of the first alums to be interviewed for this project. Although at the time of our interview he was the second oldest living YDS alum, he was amazingly energetic and still passionate about his work and accomplishments. He and his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Banner graciously invited us into their Washington D. C. home where he shared memories and valuable insights about the ongoing challenges of theological education at YDS. We felt truly honored to be in the presence of one of our distinguished alums.
Like many of those interviewed for this project, it was evident that the memory of his experiences at YDS were never far from his heart or consciousness. For Dr. Banner, this “closeness” to YDS was reflected not only in his comments, but also in the remarkable series of drawings he created, and proudly shared with us, of the Divinity School Quad. These drawings captured both his artistic abilities as well as the genuine pride he held for his alma mater. While we are honored to share this tribute to Dr. Banner, we are keenly aware that it does not do justice to his contributions to the church, academy, and wider community nor to the many who were personally impacted by his life and work.
Dr. William A. Banner: A “Life of Reason” and Commitment
William Augustus Banner was born on September 18, 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Nannie (Perry) and Zachariah Banner. He was educated at Walter George Smith School and Central High School of Philadelphia. He attended Pennsylvania State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts and Letters in 1935. Impressed as an undergraduate by the reputation of several Yale scholars and professors who often preached in the chapel at Penn State, he was inspired to attend Yale Divinity School.
In 1938, he received the Bachelor of Divinity degree from YDS and began his teaching career the same year at Bennett College where he taught until 1943. He received a Master of Arts degree in philosophy from Harvard University and subsequently earned the Ph.D. in philosophy in 1947. He was also the recipient of the Sheldon Traveling Fellowship.
Upon his return to New Haven in 1954, to teach in place of H. Richard Niebuhr, Banner became the first known black “visiting professor” at YDS. He later served as a Visiting Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, Smith College, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Colorado, and the University of Rochester.
Banner continued his distinguished teaching career at Howard University serving as Professor of Christian History and Thought in Howard’s School of Religion. His tenure at Howard extended from 1945-1985 and he retired as Professor Emeritus of Philosophy. In 1988, Howard University also honored him with the doctorate of Humane Letters.
Banner’s stellar publication record included numerous articles, chapters, lectures, and books. His first major publication titled “Origin and the Tradition of Natural Law Concepts,” was part of the Dumbarton Oaks Papers, published by Harvard University Press in 1954. He followed this publication with Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy in 1968. His critically acclaimed text, Moral Norms and Moral Order: The Philosophy of Human Affairs was published in 1981 and received positive reviews from prominent scholars such as Henry Veatch of Georgetown University and George Schrader of Yale University.
In a 1999 “tribute” delivered when Banner was named as an honoree of the “Excellence at Howard” Award, Segun Gbadegesin, Chair of Howard’s Department of Philosophy, recounted the comments of Veatch and Schrader in their reviews of Moral Norms and Moral Order. According to Veatch, Banner “… pits great thinkers one against another in arguments over the issues involved; and yet never in such a way as to allow himself or his readers to get bogged down in a lot of highly technical philosophical argument, which is so much the bane of present-day philosophizing. For this and for so much else in his book, Professor Banner is to be thanked and congratulated.” In similar fashion, Schrader noted that Banner “applied a historical critical method with great effectiveness and has given new freshness to a perennial issue.” Banner’s last book titled The Path of St. Augustine, published in 1996 drew similar critical acclaim.
In his tribute, Gbadegesin also credits Banner for establishing the Alain Locke Conference at Howard University and celebrates his superb teaching skills, which successfully guided numerous graduate students through their Master’s program. Consequently, former students, who have gone on to make significant contributions to the church, academy, and broader community routinely “expressed their sincere appreciation” for his insight and direction. In his comments about his former professor, Paul W. Smith had this to say about Banner, “To me, he was what a college professor was supposed to be… . He had the exuberance that brought life even to syllogism, and he helped me learn to ‘think’ more carefully and honestly. Whatever goodness and power and knowledge that I ascribed to the word professor was embodied in him.”
Upon his acceptance of the “Excellence at Howard” award, Banner delivered a provocative essay titled “Philosophy and the Household of Reason.” In it, he makes a profound observation that many believe is still relevant in our contemporary, violent, and broken world today: “The advancement of humane culture has not matched the advancement of empirical science and technology.” In his reflection on the essay, Paul Smith again celebrates his beloved professor: “If the whole world could have … learned and faithfully applied the lessons he taught, ‘the advancement of humane culture’ would possibly be on a better track. What an honor and privilege to have been taught by such a man.”
Banner was not only a scholar par excellence and a superb teacher he was also a man of faith and family. A long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., he is survived by his children, Anne Banner Beesecker and William P. Banner, his sister Helen Rainey and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dr. Banner inspired many throughout his life and career. We are proud and blessed to have had the opportunity to meet with him and to be included on the list of those whom he touched and inspired. We look forward to sharing his interview, insights, and writings with the YDS community.
Dr. Yolanda Y. Smith and Dr. Moses N. Moore, Jr. ‘77 M.Div. are co-investigators for the “‘Been in the Storm So Long’: Yale Divinity School and the Black Ministry, One Hundred and Fifty Years of Black Theological Education” Project.