Arch T. Dotson, Cornell University professor emeritus of government, died April 6. He was 85. Dotson joined the Cornell faculty in 1951 and, among many other duties, served as chair of the government department from 1969 to 1976.

Dotson was instrumental in organizing the Cornell Abroad and Cornell-in-Washington programs and the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs (CIPA), and initially he served as director for these programs. A much-admired professor and leader, he received the Clark Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1971.

Dotson was born in Paris, Ky., and spent his boyhood working on farms managed by his father. In 1941 he graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky.

From 1958 to 1960, Dotson served as deputy comptroller of the state of New York under Comptroller Arthur Leavitt Sr. He consulted for foreign governments, planning departments and schools of public administration for the United States, United Nations, regional and governmental agencies and the Ford Foundation, in India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Iran, Jordan, the People's Republic of China, Eritrea and Mexico.

Dotson served as a check pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was discharged with the rank of major. He received his Ph.D. in government at Harvard University, taught at the University of Virginia and later was a postdoctoral fellow at the London School of Economics.

A 52-year resident of the town of Danby near Ithaca, he served for many years as chair of the Danby Planning Board. His contacts with the Finger Lakes Land Trust reflected his appreciation of the rural and woodland beauty of Danby and his commitment to preserving and maintaining open land for the public.

He is survived by his wife, Esther, a son, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and two brothers.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced. Gifts in his memory can be contributed to the Arch T. Dotson Fellowship Fund of CIPA, 294 Caldwell Hall (checks to CIPA).