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Henry M. Wriston papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2007-010

Scope and Contents

The Henry M. Wriston papers consists of biographical material, correspondence, publications, reprints, and speeches. Topics include higher education, university administration, United States politics, and foreign relations. Many of the speeches were delivered at Brown University.

Materials in the addition of June 2008 (Acc. 2008-014) were used in creating the website http://www.henrymerrittwriston.org/. They include materials from other repositories and the Wriston family, as well as photographs and audio recordings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1916-1972

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

University records - Copyright held by Wesleyan University; all other copyright is retained by the creator - In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted

Some material is in public domain - No Copyright - United States

Biographical / Historical

Henry Merritt Wriston was born on July 4, 1889 in Laramie, Wyoming, and grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. Wriston graduated from Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in 1911, a master's degree in 1912, and then earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University. After serving as an instructor and then full professor of history at Wesleyan from 1914 to 1925, he was appointed president of Lawrence College (now University) in Appleton, Wisconsin. At the age of 35, Wriston was reported to be the youngest college president in the country.

In 1937, Wriston became president of Brown University. He made major changes to the curriculum and the faculty, encouraging students to do their own research and drop in on classes in which they were interested. The changes prompted John D. Rockefeller, Jr., to donate $4 million in 1955 in recognition of Wriston's accomplishments.

In 1954, John Foster Dulles appointed Wriston to a committee to improve the efficiency of the diplomatic corps. Wriston continued to be involved in politics and public issues following his departure from Brown in 1955. In 1960, President Eisenhower appointed him as chairman of the Presidential Commission on Nation Goals. He also served in various capacities with the American Assembly, the World Peace Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Wriston died on March 8, 1978. His first wife, Ruth Colton Bigelow, preceded him in death. Wriston was survived by his second wife, Marguerite Woodworth, whom he married in 1947. Wriston was also survived by two children, Walter B. Wriston and Barbara Wriston.

Extent

5.75 Linear Feet (11 hollinger boxes and 1 half hollinger box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Henry M. Wriston papers consists of biographical material, correspondence, publications, reprints, and speeches. Topics include higher education, university administration, United States politics, and foreign relations. Many of the speeches were delivered at Brown University. The addition of June 2008 includes materials digitized for a website project.

Arrangement

Within each series, materials are arranged chronologically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Majority of collection transferred from Lawrence University in 2007. These materials consist of copies from the original papers housed at Brown University, donated by Theodore Crane. The Reminiscences are photocopies donated by Theodore Crane in 1971. Originals are housed at Brown University. The Interview was acquired in 1968.

Addition of June 2008 (Acc. 2008-014) given by Mariah Klaneski, June 2008.

Title
Henry M. Wriston papers, 1916-1972
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Madeleine Sage-El (Class of 2009), February 2007 Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, March 2007 Migrated to ArchivesSpace by Amanda Nelson, August 2020
Date
August 28, 2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives Repository

Contact:
Olin Library
252 Church Street
Middletown CT 06459 USA
860-685-3864