Don Saliers

The Rev. Dr. Don E. Saliers (born c. 1938) is an American theologian specializing in homiletics and liturgics. He was the William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship at the Candler School of Theology of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Although he retired from Candler in 2007, Professor Saliers returned to Candler as Theologian-in-Residence in 2015.

Professor Saliers received his B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University, and both his B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity) and his Ph.D. from Yale University. He also attended Cambridge University.

He is a musician, theologian, and scholar of liturgics. Among the instruments he plays are the organ and the piano He is also a United Methodist pastor and a poet.

Saliers joined the Emory University faculty in 1974. He was the William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Although he retired in 2007, he is currently Theologian-in-Residence and a professor emeritus. In addition to teaching theology and worship, he directed the master of sacred music program there. He has also taught at Notre Dame, St. John’s, Vancouver School of Theology, and Boston College.

Among the fifteen books Saliers has written, are several on the relationship between theology and worship practices. He also co-authored A Song to Sing, a Life to Live with his daughter Emily Saliers, a member of the folk-rock music duo Indigo Girls. Among the places the two have performed and spoken publicly are a United Methodist Women’s convention in Anaheim, California in May 2006, the Washington National Cathedral in 2007, and a United Methodist Board of Church and Society reception in 2016.

Saliers has served as president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is a chaplain to the American Guild of Organists.

Don Saliers and his wife Jane (née Firmin; a retired librarian) have four daughters. They have resided in the metro Atlanta area for over 40 years. He has at least one grandchild, a daughter of musician Emily Saliers.

A music room at Emory University's Schwartz Center for Performing Arts was named for Don and Jane Saliers and partly funded by their daughter Emily.