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John Ritchie (1904-1988) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 17/23

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The John Ritchie papers date between ca. 1931 and 1988 although the great bulk of the materials span the period from 1957 through 1966. The papers are divided into four subseries: biographical materials, records pertaining to the Association of American Law Schools, records relating to the American Bar Association, and professional files and administrative records.

Biographical materials form a relatively small portion of the papers, occupying less than two boxes. Clippings, press releases and general items reflect the outlines of Ritchie's professional life and provide some detail concerning his career as a legal scholar and law school administrator. Several files pertain to his extended family, particularly the disposition of family members' estates.

Association of American Law Schools records date between 1956-1965 and fill approximately ten boxes. Of special note are Ritchie's correspondence, daily files, and executive committee records. Most of these materials date from 1963 to 1965 around the time of his service as Association president. Also found here are a series of topical and committee files arranged alphabetically by subject headings and committee names.

The American Bar Association records fill about twelve boxes and date between 1954 and 1967. Particularly significant are extensive records relating to important ABA committees and sections on which Ritchie served: the Committee on Education in the Contrast between Liberty under Law and Communism, the Standing Committee on Lawyers and Legal Services in the Defense Establishment, and the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Ritchie's professional files and administrative records from his service on behalf of other legal associations and academic institutions form the remainder and bulk of the series, about twenty-seven boxes. The most significant files, filling about twenty-two boxes, are those pertaining to Northwestern University and to Ritchie's tenure as dean of the Northwestern University School of Law. Nearly all administrative concerns and duties are represented including admissions, the 1959 centennial celebration of the School of Law, conference planning, curricular matters, faculty appointments and committees, student organizations, honors and awards, the law library, special lectures, publications, and scholarships and financial aid. A number of files reflecting Ritchie's teaching career at the University of Virginia may also be found in the professional files and administrative records subseries.

Dates

  • approximately 1931 - 1988

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection 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

51.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Known for his work in the field of estate law, John Ritchie held the position of dean and John Henry Wigmore Professor of Law at the Northwestern University School of Law from 1957 to 1972. The John Ritchie papers date between ca. 1931 and 1988 although the great bulk of the materials span the period from 1957 through 1966. The papers are divided into four subseries: biographical materials, records pertaining to the Association of American Law Schools, records relating to the American Bar Association, and professional files and administrative records.

Arrangement Note

Biographical materials are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Association of American Law Schools records are arranged into categories including correspondence, daily files, and executive committee records, each of which are further arranged chronologically. The topical and committee files are arranged alphabetically by subject headings and committee names.

TheAmerican Bar Association records are arranged alphabetically by topical headings.

Ritchie's professional files and administrative records are alphabetically arranged by topic or by name of pertinent association, institution, or organization.

Method of Acquisition

This series includes materials separated from accessions 97-122, 98-111, 98-158, and 98-185.

Separated Materials

Approximately five linear inches of records relating to Ritchie's tenure as dean of the University of Wisconsin Law School have been transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives. Approximately four linear inches of records concerning his service at Washington University (St. Louis) have been transferred to the Washington University Archives.

Processing Information

Kevin B. Leonard; September-December, 1999.

Title
Guide to the John Ritchie (1904-1988) Papers
Author
Kevin B. Leonard
Date
01/09/1999
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