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Robert W. Babcock papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 21

Scope and Contents

The Robert W. Babcock papers contain numerous lecture notes on Shakespearean plays, along with margin notations by Professor Babcock. The lecture notes are a rich example of Babcock's engaging teaching style.  There are also publications edited by Babcock, who was the first editor for Purdue University.

Dates

  • Creation: 1920 - 1961
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1920 - 1939

Creator

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Portions of material in this collection are in the public domain. Other material copyrights held by Purdue University or original creator. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Biographical Information

Robert W. Babcock was born in 1893 in Chicago, Illinois.  He attended the Hill School, Williams College, and University of Michigan. In 1917 Babcock received the LLB degree from Northwestern University. He practiced law in Arizona and homesteaded as a rancher in Arizona. Babcock then joined the American Extension University for a few months. In 1920 he joined the Purdue faculty as an instructor in English.

In 1927 Professor Robert W. Babcock became the first university editor, on a part-time basis, and soon was engaged on a project close to President Elliott's heart: the preparation of the University Code. The first edition of Part I of the Code, which dealt with legal matters, was issued in the fall of 1927. Babcock then worked through years of faculty and board of trustee minutes preparing Part II, "Regulations for the Internal Administration of the University," for publication in 1929. On February 1, 1963 he went on terminal leave of absence, and would have retired as Professor Emeritus of English on June 30, 1963. He was known as the Shakespearean scholar and ex-cowboy. He was the author of several books and many articles and reviews.  For many years he taught very popular courses in Shakespeare.

Extent

0.727 Cubic Feet (Two letter-size full-width manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by type of material and then chronologically.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by Edith E. Babcock on October 5, 2011.

Processing Information

All material has been housed in acid-free folders and acid-free boxes. 

Title
Robert W. Babcock papers
Status
Under Review
Author
Mary A. Sego
Date
2021-03-15
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Edition statement
Third edition. Collection description first completed 2011-02-11.

Revision Statements

  • 2011-11-04: Revised by E. Wilkinson.
  • 2020-03-17: Collection description updated to new standards by Mary A. Sego.
  • 2021-03-15: Series 1 and 2 created by Emily Sandgren.

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
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765-494-2839