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Harry G. Guthmann (1896 - 1981) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 12/1/7

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The Harry G. Guthmann Papers, comprising ten boxes, are arranged in seven main subseries: biographical material; business investments files; correspondence; teaching material; research material; speeches; and writings. Arrangement within each subseries is basically chronological.

The biographical material includes curricula vitae, research reports, several partial bibliographies, and newspaper clippings.

The business investments files consist primarily of material documenting Guthmann's dealings with a small company named Snap Products (1946-1950) and with a Mexican gold mining concern, Yecorato (1932-1941). The latter material includes detailed descriptions of the mine and its activities and a good portrait of the entrepreneur William N. Albee.

The correspondence deals mainly with Guthmann's work as a consultant, writer, and teacher. The correspondence with Bion Howard reflects some of Guthmann's views on touring Europe in 1962. The two folders relating to the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association include letters in which Guthmann makes detailed recommendations regarding TIAA's investment programs and procedures.

The teaching material includes reading lists, exams, notes, and a few student papers. Some of the materials, including the four folders pertaining to the Regulatory Commission Development, concern Guthmann's teaching at the continuing education level.

The research material relates to Guthmann's activities as a consultant and as an expert witness before various courts and congressional committees. The material should prove useful for students of tax determination and valuation procedures. The cases dealing with American Telephone and Telegraph, the Chicago Traction Companies, Consumers Power Company (Michigan), various cooperatives, Kohler, the Leschen Rope Company, the Pennsylvania and New York Central Railroad merger, and the Alexander J. Shamberg Estate are especially important.

The writings include, for the most part, manuscript drafts and correspondence. Most concern articles by Guthmann; there is little relating to his books. The folder on plagiarism deals with O. Paul Decker's Corporation Finance and Investments, published in 1941 by the American Institute of Banking, and Guthmann and Dougall's Corporate Financial Policy. The case was settled out of court in favor of Guthmann and Dougall.

Dates

  • 1909-1981

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on use of the materials in the department for research; all patrons must comply with federal copyright regulations.

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

15.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Harry George Guthmann was a finance professor. His PhD. dissertation was entitled "The Relation of the Maturity Factor to Yield Differences among Investment Securities." In 1920 he became a Certified Public Accountant. Although during his life Guthmann worked as a bank clerk, junior public accountant, income tax deputy, financial consultant, and an officer in a real estate corporation, his main career was teaching. Northwestern University hired Guthmann as in 1927. In 1949 he was named the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Finance. Upon his retirement in 1965, Guthmann was made professor emeritus. Guthmann was an energetic writer and a sought-after consultant. The Harry G. Guthmann Papers, comprising ten boxes, are arranged in seven main subseries: biographical material; business investments files; correspondence; teaching material; research material; speeches; and writings.

Arrangement Note

The Harry G. Guthmann Papers, comprising ten boxes, are arranged in seven main subseries: biographical material; business investments files; correspondence; teaching material; research material; speeches; and writings. Arrangement within each subseries is basically chronological.

Method of Acquisition

The Harry G. Guthmann Papers were donated to the University Archives by Mrs. Harry G. Guthmann on November 2, 1981, as accession #81-224.

Separated Materials

Three books were placed in the Archives' faculty collection.

Several photographs were removed to Guthmann's folder in the photograph file

Certificates and other oversized materials were placed in Drawer 8, map case, Room 111 B.

Processing Information

William K. Beatty, June - August, 1982.

Title
Guide to the Harry G. Guthmann (1896 - 1981) Papers
Author
William K. Beatty
Date
01/06/1982
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