Dr. Kelso Morris (j. 2/1962; d. 1982) joined All Souls with his wife Marlene. He was active in church and civic activities. He was a professor and former chairman of the Chemistry Department at Howard University from 1956 to 1969.
He earned master’s and doctoral degrees in chemistry at Cornell University in 1937 and 1940, and taught at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, before coming to Howard.
He was the author of three books and numerous articles that appeared in professional journals. A 2008 Howard University article celebrating the 50th anniversary of Howard’s PhD program (1958-2008) estimated that Morris taught more than 10,000 students.
Dr. Morris was a past secretary of the Washington Academy of Science, a past president of the DC Institute of Chemists, and also served as a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Chemists, and the American Chemical Society, as well as of other professional groups.
Note from Gregory Morris, son of Dr. Kelso Morris:
Born in 1963, I was raised as a member of All Souls — I was christened by Duncan Howlett. I remember David Eaton and Frank Robertson well; and I remember a major renovation of the church sanctuary and organ. Etc. A photo of my father, Kelso Morris, is among the photos in your collection. I also see a photo of Thomas and Peggy Countee, who where my godfather and my sister’s godmother. We attended All Souls’ Sunday School classes until 1977. I have vivid memories of the family’s years at All Souls and would be happy to offer any recollections that may be of interest. I begin to recognize All Souls’ tremendously positive impact on me when my parents agreed to send us to a Sunday school closer to home during my junior and senior years of high school, and it wasn’t until years later that I truly began to comprehend the magnitude of the church’s influence on me. (Btw my parents were Methodists who each happened to have Unitarian friends. This led them to join All Souls when they married.)