The Austin Chair

David Austin Foley (1992-2020) was known and loved for being a deep thinker, a vast reader, and someone who cherished the beauty and the life of the mind. Inspired by the lasting impact Austin had on their lives, his classmates in the Russell County High School Class of 2011 felt led to extend Austin’s legacy into a tangible gift for our community.

The Austin Chair is both a physical and a symbolic seat of knowledge. The chair itself is situated in the Gathering Space at the Russell County Public Library and welcomes all who sit in it to gaze upon the vibrancy of the Library, admire the volumes of information in the stacks, and be opened to the wisdom within its walls.

Furthermore, it establishes a fund from which RCPL may bring guest speakers and other experiences to fill the seat by providing cultural enhancement, community enrichment, intellectual stimulation, and opportunities to brighten the mind.

Make a Gift

To ensure that Austin’s legacy continues inspiring people in the quest for knowledge, please consider making a financial gift to the Friends of the Russell County Public Library, care of “The Austin Chair.” All funds from The Austin Chair will serve adults and young adults in Russell County in the areas of literature, poetry, art, music, writing, history, society, and more.  Please use the Gift Form linked below.

The Austin Chair Giving Form