Jim Morris may have retired from his teaching career, but he still has students — anyone who peruses the history section of the Daphne Public Library or comes to his popular lectures.

Morris was a high school English teacher for five years and a college history professor for more than 40. His most recent appointment was at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., where he was a professor until 2002. After he retired, the University honored him by naming him Professor Emeritus of History.

Throughout his career, Morris wrote eight books and dozens of articles and professional papers.

Although he enjoys writing, Morris said his top priority was always teaching, and his research and writing made him better at it.

“Writing the books and the articles have really been adjuncts to teaching,” he said. “I'm not the type of college professor where having to teach gets in the way of my research. All of this has been directed at being more of an effective teacher.”

Although Morris didn't ever go to war himself, he is an expert on military history. He has given two lecture series at Daphne Public Library since 2012, one on the Civil War, and one on World War II.

Since Morris and his wife Nancy moved to Daphne in 2006, he has been an asset to the Daphne Public Library and anyone in the county who is interested in military history, said Tonja Young, Daphne's library director.

“When he first moved here, he came to me as a friend and said, 'The history section in this library stinks,'” Young said. “We thought we had a little bit of everything, but he wanted us to broaden what we had. He provided a bibliography starting with the Revolutionary War and went all the way up to Korea and Vietnam.”

So the library bought more than $2,500 worth of history books.

“We probably have the best history section in county thanks to him,” Young said. “I think it's great for the students doing research, and we've also had a lot of interest from people who were in WWII or had parents who went, and they are reading those books like crazy.”

And his lectures have been extremely popular, Young said.

“He's done an amazing job,” she said. “He makes it so interesting, and he tells little tidbits and facts that are not usually well-known — things most people who don't do in-depth study wouldn't know about. He's just so smart, so much fun and has such a sense of humor. He's been a huge asset to the library.”

Morris was formerly the president of the Friends of the Daphne Public Library, and since 2012, he has been on the library's board of directors.

“I've been very pleased with this library and its director and staff,” Morris said. “They are very helpful, and not just to me. A good library is a vital part of every community.”

People profile

• NAME: Jim Morris
• AGE: 77
• PROFESSION: Retired college history professor, author
• VOLUNTEER WORK: On the board of the Daphne Public Library, gives free lectures
• HOMETOWN: Reed City, Michigan
• FAMILY: Married to Nancy for 54 years, six children, 35 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren