George S. Godard papers

Collection

Identifier: 1000-383

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection includes materials from Godard's time at Wesleyan as an undergraduate, a survey with information about classmates, and correspondence from his time as a Wesleyan Trustee. There is minor information about his time as CT State Librarian. The collection also includes photographs and realia.

Dates

Creation: 1883-1934

Creator

Godard, George S. (George Seymour), 1865-1936 (Person)

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

George Seymour Godard was born in Granby, CT in 1865. He received his BA from Wesleyan in 1892, his MA in 1916 and a doctorate of literature in 1935. He was a Trustee of Wesleyan starting in 1919 and was secretary of the Board from 1920 to 1925. From 1900 to the end of his life in 1936 he served as the Connecticut State Librarian. During his tenure the CT State Library grew from a modest, disorganized collection housed in 4 separate rooms in the state capitol to a model institution in an elegant and purpose-built building, housing materials important to the governance and legislation of the state.

Extent

0.75 Linear Feet (1 hollinger box and 1 half hollinger box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

George Seymour Godard, Wesleyan class of 1892, was Connecticut's third State Librarian, a position he held for 35 years. He was also a Trustee of Wesleyan. This small collection is mostly composed of materials from his time as an undergraduate but also contains notes for speeches, photographs, diplomas and certificates, and realia.

Arrangement

This is a preliminary inventory.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

George S. Godard's private library of more than 30,000 volumes was presented to the Wesleyan library by his family in 1937. Most of his papers presumably came at the same time. [Note from former archivist Elizabeth Swaim]