Maurice De Vinna Jr., Fine Arts Editor, 96

[DGH]

.

It was reported from Tulsa, Oklahoma, that Maurice De Vinna Jr., the
Tulsa World's first fine arts editor, died Thursday, April 1, 2004,
the newspaper reported, at the age of 96.

De Vinna was a longtime supporter of the arts in Tulsa.

In 1934, De Vinna persuaded the paper to pay him $2 per story for
articles on the Tulsa art scene. His salary increased to $5 per story
after the stories became regular weekly fixtures.

He worked for the World until 1942, when he was drafted into the Army.
Educated at Harvard University and at the Sorbonne in Paris, he served
as an interpreter and editor for Army units during World War II.

He returned to the World in 1953 as arts editor and became known for
his flamboyant style and for wearing a top hat and opera cape to
gallery openings. He was named fine arts editor in 1953. He retired in
that position in 1977.

In 1979, De Vinna was named Chevalier in the Order of the Academic
Palms by the minister of the Universities of France. He was also
awarded membership in the French Order of Arts and Letters.