Advisor and Author

Marjorie G. Driver (1924 – 2019) was one of the co-founders of the Micronesian Area Research Center at the University of Guam in 1967.

Renowned scholar

At MARC (now known as the Richard Flores Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center) she curated the Spanish Documents Collection, and became internationally renowned for her translations of documents from the Spanish colonial period of Guam. Driver was also an associate professor of Spanish at the university.

Education and honors

Driver held a BA in Spanish, with a minor in social studies from Russell Sage College, New York and an MA in Spanish with a minor in Latin American studies from Middlebury College, Vermont. In addition, she completed coursework at Columbia University in New York, the Theological Seminary at Colombia University and at the former College of Guam in Mongmong, precursor to the University of Guam.

The Young Men’s League of Guam recognized Driver in 1992 with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in CHamoru history from the Spanish archives, after being nominated by Dr. Wilfred Leon Guerrero.

The University of Guam also bestowed one of its highest honors on Driver by conferring its Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) upon her at the Fall 2007 Commencement Exercises.

During MARC’s 40th anniversary celebration in October 2007, Driver, in recognition of her service to Guam and its people, was inducted into the Ancient Order of the Chamorri by the governor of Guam.

Driver retired at the end of 2007.

The 29th Guam Legislature lauded her for dedication and hard work to the people of Guam and Micronesia with a legislative resolution on 5 January 2008.

Teacher and advisor

With roots in the eastern United States, she spent her childhood in Puerto Rico, and was a longtime resident of Guam. She taught in Guam’s high schools and is a former principal of St. John’s School. She published numerous articles and English translations of historical materials concerning the lengthy Spanish presence in the Mariana Islands.

Driver was an advisor to Guampedia since its inception in 2005.

Driver died at her home in Jonestown, Guam, on 20 September 2019 at the age of 95.

Other publications by Driver

  • 2007 – Lepers in the Mariana Islands During the Spanish Administration: 1668 – 1898 & Addenda (1899-1949). Mangilao: Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 2005 – The Spanish Governor of the Mariana Islands and the Saga of the Palacio. Mangilao: Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 2004a – El Palacio: The Spanish Palace in Agana, 1668-1898. Co-authored with Francis X. Hezel, SJ. MARC Education Series no. 26. Mangilao: Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 2004b – Fray Juan Pobre in the Marianas 1602. MARC Miscellaneous Series no. 8. Mangilao: Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 2000 – The Augustinian Recollect Friars in the Mariana Islands 1769-1908. Translator. MARC Educational Series no. 24. Mangilao: Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 1994 – Architectural Sketches of the Spanish Era Forts of Guam: From the Holdings of the Servicio Historico Militar, Madrid. Co-authored with Omaira Brunal-Perry. MARC Educational Series no. 17. Mangilao: Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 1993a – Cross, Sword, and Silver: The Nascent Spanish Colony in the Marianas. Mangilao: Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 1993b – The Account of Fray Juan Pobre’s Residence in the Marianas, 1602. MARC Miscellaneous Series no. 8. Mangilao: Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 1992 – “Quiroga’s Letter to King Phillip V, 26 May 1720.” The Journal of Pacific History 27, no. 1 (June): 98-106.
  • 1989 – The Account of Fray Juan Pobre’s Residence in the Marianas, 1602. MARC Miscellaneous Series No. 8. Mangilao: Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 1988a – Driver, Marjorie G. “Cross, Sword, and Silver: The Nascent Spanish Colony in the Mariana Islands.” Pacific Studies 11, no. 3: 21-51.
  • 1988b – “Fray Juan Pobre de Zamora: Hitherto Unpublished Accounts of His Residence in the Mariana Islands.” The Journal of Pacific History 23, no. 1: 86-94.
  • 1985 – Guam: A Nomenclatural Chronology. Educational Series No. 5. Mangilao: Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam.
  • 1983 – “Fray Juan Pobre de Zamora and His Account of the Mariana Islands.” The Journal of Pacific History 18, no. 3: 198-216.
  • 1977 – “The Account of a Discalced Friar’s Stay in the Islands of the Ladrones.” Guam Recorder 7, no. 1: 19-21.
  • 1974 – “Government House in Need of Repair.” Guam Recorder 4, no. 2: 16-21.

Guampedia entry co-authored by Professor Marjorie Driver

Governor Manuel Muro