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Benjamin H. Baldwin (1919-2005) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 16/5

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The Benjamin Baldwin Papers, filling seventeen boxes and spanning the period 1956 to 1984, are arranged in two subseries: correspondence, and teaching files. These are Baldwin's personal papers, documenting his career as a teacher at Northwestern. Records relating to his involvement in the journalism section of the National High School Institute as well as the administrative records of the Medill School's Editorial Department have been separated and treated as distinct series.

Correspondence fills less than one box and is organized into general and subject categories. Most of the general correspondence is routine and consists of letters pertaining to Baldwin's teaching. Very little of his personal or social correspondence is included. Subject correspondence documents Baldwin's role in the founding of the Medill School of Journalism Alumni Association, as well as his service on the Screening Committee of the AAAS-Westinghouse Science Writing Awards Competition. In 1983 Baldwin chaired the search committee for the Dean of Medill School. Edward P. Bassett was selected for the post; the correspondence folder under his name includes materials relevant to his appointment. Baldwin acted as an early advisor to the new Dean.

Baldwin's teaching files form the bulk of the papers. Included are syllabi, bibliographies, detailed grade sheets, records and evaluations of student work, and the texts of many lectures. A small number of files on general curricular and Medill administrative matters follow. A folder of reprints is at the end of the papers.

Dates

  • 1956-1984

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Notes pertaining to Neil McNeil (Box 1, Folder 17) and the file on Edward P. Bassett (Box 1, Folder 15) as well as the teaching files (Box 1, Folder 20 ; Box 17, Folder 12) and the Additions may contain sensitive materials; consultation with University Archivist required prior to use. This collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.

Extent

18.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Benjamin Baldwin Papers, spanning the period 1956 to 1984, are arranged in two subseries: correspondence, and teaching files. These are Baldwin's personal papers, documenting his career as a teacher at Northwestern University. Records relating to his involvement in the journalism section of the National High School Institute as well as the administrative records of the Medill School's Editorial Department have been separated and treated as distinct collections.

Arrangement

General correspondence is arranged in chronological order; subject correspondence is arranged by topic. Teaching files are arranged by course and date.

Method of Acquisition

Benjamin Baldwin donated these papers to the University Archives between June and October 1984 as accessions #84-94, #84-110, #84-130, and #84-171. One oral interview transcript was donated by Roger Boye, Medill School of Journalism, on October 18, 1989 (accession #89-204) and was added to Box 1, Folder 1.

Separated Materials

Approximately six linear inches of faculty minutes, memoranda, publications, and other material relating to the Medill School of Journalism have been transferred to the University Archives' general reference files as have about ten linear inches of material concerning the journalism section of the National High School Institute.

Processing Information

William K. Beatty; June-July, 1985

Title
Guide to the Benjamin H. Baldwin (1919-2005) Papers
Author
William K. Beatty
Date
01/06/1985
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Library Details

Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository

Contact:
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635