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J. Carson Webster (1905-1989) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 11/3/4/4

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The J. Carson Webster Papers fill twelve boxes and span the period 1931-1989. The Papers are comprised of six categories: education files, correspondence, teaching files, research files, professional organizations files, and publications. Two folders of biographical materials and three folders of speeches and talks are also included.

Users of these papers should look in several locations for materials on a specific subject, e.g., correspondence with the University of Chicago Press about his contribution to the book Chicago's Famous Buildings, will be found in general correspondence under the appropriate dates and also under publications, Chicago's Famous Buildings correspondence. Within the categories, the Papers are arranged alphabetically according to subject title unless otherwise stated.

The education files consist of reading and lecture notes, correspondence, and two seminar papers from Webster's years at Princeton University.

The general correspondence relates primarily to Webster's writing, teaching, and professional interests and is arranged chronologically by year. The major part of the subject correspondence consists of material relating to academic matters at Northwestern and the Art Department.

The teaching files contain lecture notes, syllabi, student papers, exams, and grade sheets. Some of the assignment sheets describe in detail tours students were advised to take at the Art Institute of Chicago. The course files are arranged sequentially by their corresponding course number followed by the remaining teaching files in alphabetical order according to subject title.

The research files briefly cover numerous subjects and consist primarily of reading notes and correspondence.

The professional organizations files contain materials relating to Webster's appointment to the Commission on Chicago Architectural Landmarks to establish the selection criteria and select the buildings to be designated as Chicago's architectural landmarks. Box 7, Folders 2-3 contain relevant correspondence, notes, and reports. Webster's assistance with the Historic American Buildings Survey's Chicago Recording Project are also present.

The publications section has small amounts of material related to three books written, or contributed to, by Webster: Architecture of Chicago and Vicinity, Chicago's Famous Buildings and Labors of the Months. However, most of the material in this category pertains to Webster's major work, Erastus D. Palmer, published by the University of Delaware in 1983. There is one typed draft, much related correspondence, reading, research and site notes, and photocopies of letters by, to, and about Erastus Palmer. Drafts and correspondence related to some of Webster's articles are found at the end of the publications section. Of special interest is a 34-page typescript. “History of the Department of Art, Northwestern University” (Box 11 Folder 15).

Addition (Boxes 13-17, 1931-1988)

This addition to the J. Carson Webster Papers fills five boxes and spans the period 1931-1988, with the bulk of the material dating between 1940 and 1980. The addition is comprised of three categories: correspondence, teaching files, and publications. A small amount of biographical material was also interfiled in the original series.

The correspondence concerns primarily Webster's academic, administrative, and professional activities.

The teaching files consist mainly of notes for lectures and reading notes. One folder deals with Webster's teaching at the University of Chicago.

The publications category contains a substantial amount of material related to Webster's major work Erastus D. Palmer, on the 19th century New York sculptor. Of interest are drafts of various parts of the book, correspondence related to Webster's search for material, correspondence with his publisher, Associated University Presses, and photocopies of Palmer's account books and many letters by and to him.

Dates

  • 1931-1989

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Boxes 3-17 of this collection are stored off-site and require two business days advance notice for retrieval. 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.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is stored at a remote campus location 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

17.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The J. Carson Webster Papers fill twelve boxes and span the period 1931-1989. The Papers are comprised of six categories: education files, correspondence, teaching files, research files, professional organizations files, and publications. Two folders of biographical materials and three folders of speeches and talks are also included.

Arrangement Note

The Papers are arranged in six categories: education files, correspondence, teaching files, research files, professional organizations files, and publications.

Method of Acquisition

The J. Carson Webster Papers were donated to the University Archives by his wife Elizabeth Webster, on April 20. 1989. (Accession #89-57).

Separated Materials

The certificate from the University of Paris awarding Webster the Brevet d'Art de la Sorbonne (August 8, 1931) was transferred to the Archives oversize file. Fourteen photographs of University buildings were transferred to the Archives photograph collection. Two small file drawers of 35mm slides, approximately 36 linear inches of photographs and illustrations, and approximately 10 linear inches of exhibit catalogs and magazines were sent to the Special Collections Department of the University Library. A small amount of material not relating to Webster was given to the Chicago Historical Society. Approximately 15 linear inches of duplicate material and 30 linear inches of extraneous material were discarded.

Processing Information

William K. Beatty: November, 1989 - January, 1990.

Title
Guide to the J. Carson Webster (1905-1989) Papers
Author
William K. Beatty
Date
01/11/1989
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