Dr. L. Patrick Devlin,
Professor of Communication Studies

109 Independence Hall
(401) 874-4724
fax: (401) 874-4722

Ph.D., Wayne State University, 1968
M.A., Columbia University, 1963
B.A., William Paterson University, 1961

Research Interests: Professor Devlin is an archivist and analyst of presidential campaign television commercials. He has one of the largest collections of presidential ads from 1952 to the most recent campaign. Author of the books Contemporary Political Speaking (1971) and Political Persuasion in Presidential Campaigns (1987), he has also written numerous chapters and articles in political communication focusing on political debate, speechwriting, canvassing and the campaigns of Humphrey, McGovern and Kennedy. He stays current by travelling to the New Hampshire presidential primary every four years and he takes sabbatical leaves in Washington, DC every other election cycle to follow the general election campaigns.

Dr. Devlin joined URI in 1967, served as director of debate for four years and was department chairman for six years. His teaching interests include political communication, TV advertising, advanced public speaking, persuasion and American public address through the study of great historic speeches