John Ramington (1944–2006) was a writer and librarian from Austin, Texas. John grew up in New Orleans where he graduated from Cor Jesu High School and Southeastern Louisiana College. Fulfilling a boyhood dream, he joined the crew of a Norwegian shipping vessel and sailed to far away places, adding to the life experience he would draw on for his literary works. John was a poet and writer of fiction, concerned with religion and the re-configuration and achievement of the individual. His writings were published in such magazines as The New Republic, The Paris Review, and the American Review. He won several distinctions and fellowships, including two fellowships to MacDowell, a fellowship to Millay, and the David Oliker Prize for his poem, “A Leper Confronts Jesus on the Streets of Capharnaum.” He also completed two novels and was working on a third. His great joy was the written word. John inspired many with his lifelong enthusiasm for learning, opening vistas and influencing others by sharing his knowledge and unique vision. John worked as a librarian at the University of Texas for nearly thirty years, first at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center as a curator of manuscripts, and then at the Jamail Center for Legal Research as evening circulation supervisor.