He was born May 21, 1938, in Grove City, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Grove City High School. A Leverett House resident and Band member while at Harvard, he received his A.B. in sociology in 1961. In 1968 he earned an M.L.S. at the University of Pittsburgh, and in 1978 a J.D. at the University of Baltimore.
A librarian and attorney, he was former librarian of the Anne Arundel County Public Library, in Annapolis, Maryland. He was a dedicated community volunteer as well, serving as president of the Salvation Army of Annapolis and Southern Anne Arundel County and the Annapolis Civitan Club.
He was survived by his wife, Sharan (Blummer), whom he married in 1989, and a son, Benjamin IV.