The University Archives collects on a selective basis the papers of prominent Indiana University faculty, staff and alumni. These personal papers are a rich source for historical research on disciplines ranging from art to science. Listed here are some examples that demonstrate the range in disciplines represented, often used collections, or collections from underrepresented voices. The University Archives continues to actively collect papers which document the impact of the research and teaching activities of our faculty, staff and alumni. To search for additional papers, please visit Archives Online. For more information about a possible donation, see Personal papers of IU faculty and staff.
Ernest P. Bicknell papers, 1914-1959
A graduate of Indiana University, Ernest P. Bicknell is best known for his work with the American Red Cross, most notably during the First World War. His humanitarian service earned him great respect and numerous awards from European governments. The collection contains material related to his Red Cross service in Europe, including scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, photographs, and two awards.
Robert F. Byrnes papers, 1875-1997
Robert F. Byrnes was a Professor of History at Indiana University from 1956 to 1988 and served as director of the Russian and East European Institute at IU from 1959-1962 and 1971-1975. Byrnes specialized in the study of Russian conservative thought, Russian historical writing, anti-Semitism in France and Europe, the Soviet role in world affairs after World War II, American policy toward Eastern Europe, and Soviet American relations.
Linda Dégh (1920 - 2014) was a Hungarian born professor of folklore and ethnomusicology at Indiana University. Her work primarily focused on research into urban legends as well as Hungarian communities in Europe and in North America. This collection documents her research, professional and academic activities, correspondence and personal life. The materials include paper documents, photographs and audio recordings.
Alma Eikerman papers, 1915-1995, bulk 1947-1990
Alma Eikerman (1908-1995) was a metalsmith and professor Indiana University (1947-1978), where she developed the Department of Fine Arts metals program. This collection spans most of her lifetime, providing documentation of her artwork, teaching career, travels, family, friends, and students. (17 boxes)
Peter A. Fraenkel papers, 1940-1983, bulk 1959-1976
Peter Fraenkel began his career with Indiana University in 1943 as an undergraduate student majoring in physics and mathematics, graduating in 1946. He later worked in the offices of President Herman B Wells from 1948 to 1962 and President John W. Ryan from 1974 to 1985. Beginning in 1985, he served as Director of Overseas Projects Development for the Office of International Programs until his retirement in 1988. This collection contains correspondence and administrative files from Fraenkel's positions with Indiana University and the Ford Foundation, materials relating to his overseas travel and involvement with professional associations, program files for Ford Foundation grants in Spain, and speeches written or delivered by Fraenkel. (17 boxes)
Cecilia Hennel Hendricks family papers, 1843-1971, bulk 1896-1970
This collection consists of the family papers of Indiana University professor Cecilia Hennel Hendricks spanning the period from 1839 through 1970. Included are papers relating to the academic careers of Cecilia, Associate Professor of English, and her sister Cora, Professor of Mathematics at Indiana University, as well as manuscripts and writings by both women. Also found in the collection are papers and correspondence of family members: father Joseph B. Hennel, mother Anna M. Thuman Hennel, Cecilia's husband John Hendricks, and sister Edith Hennel Ellis. (20 boxes)
Daniel Kirkwood papers, 1864-1895
Daniel Kirkwood was an astronomer and professor of mathematics at Indiana University almost continuously from 1856 until 1886. Collection consists of papers of Daniel Kirkwood in two series: Correspondence and Publications. Correspondence, 1864-1895, consists of both incoming and outgoing correspondence. Some noted correspondents are Cyrus Nutt, president of Indiana University 1860-1875, Joseph Swain, IU president, 1893-1902, astronomer Sherburne W. Burnham, and Arthur C. Mellette, governor of the Dakota Territory from 1861-1889. The Publications series, 1864-1891, consists of articles written by Kirkwood. Several of the publications are photocopies of the originals. (1 box)
George List papers, 1894-2008, bulk 1958-1990
This collection consists of the papers of George List (1911-2008), Professor of Folklore, Director of the Inter-American Program in Ethnomusicology (1966-1976), and Director of the Archives of Traditional Music (1954-1976) at Indiana University. His primary research interests included folk music, the traditional music of the Hopi tribes of Northern Arizona, and the music of indigenous tribes in the Caribbean regions of Colombia and the Andes and Amazon regions of Ecuador. This collection includes personal and professional correspondence, publications, research, subject files, audiovisual content, and many of his musical compositions. (18 boxes)
Martha M. McCarthy papers, 1976-2014
Martha M. McCarthy is the Chancellor’s Professor Emerita of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Indiana University. McCarthy’s research focuses primarily on Education Law. Collection includes publications, drafts, teaching materials, grant proposals, and project reports. Also included are materials relating to McCarthy’s involvement in professional organizations, conferences, and research data. (7 boxes)
Sarah Parke Morrison papers, 1855-1913
Sarah Parke Morrison became the first woman admitted to Indiana University in 1867. Collection consists of personal papers of Sarah Parke Morrison in three series: Correspondence, 1897-1913, consisting primarily of outgoing correspondence. Frequent correspondents include former Indiana University President William Lowe Bryan and Registrar John W. Cravens. The correspondence all dates from the years after she left IU and much of it discusses her desire that women become members of the various University boards. Schedules, 1855-1856, consists of a single schedule of a typical day for Morrison at the Western Female College; and Writings, 1911-1912, includes a handwritten account of Morrison's entrance and experience as the first female student at IU and a small pamphlet of Morrison's poetry published in 1912. (1 box)
Joseph Charles Muhler papers, 1919-1997
Joseph C. Muhler was an assistant professor of chemistry at Indiana University from 1951 to 1972, and research professor of dental science and director of the School of Dentistry's Dental Research Institute from 1972 until his retirement in 1984. Muhler was the leader of the team that developed the original formula for Crest toothpaste in the 1950s, and his interests included that of preventative dentistry and its practices. The collection consists primarily of papers related to Dr. Muhler's research interests and his activities at IU, including original research, publications, correspondence, teaching files, student theses and materials relating to professional organizations.
Charlie Nelms papers, 1967-2016, bulk 1988-2013
Charlie Nelms (b. 1946) served in executive leadership roles for the Indiana University system for a total of twenty-four years between 1978 and 2007. This collection spans Nelms’ personal life and professional career in university administration at IU and other institutions. The collection includes writings, correspondence, publications and reports, and ephemera. (8 boxes)
Harold E. Pepinsky papers, 1956-2009, bulk 1980-1998
Harold Pepinsky was Professor of Criminal Justice and Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Indiana University from 1976-2008. His writings focus on how the criminal justice system can be the cause or cure for crime and research interests include peacemaking criminology, restorative justice, violence against children, and ritual abuse. The collection consists of materials relating to his position at IU and professional interests, including correspondence, case files, publications, teaching files, awards and collected materials. (21 boxes)
Claire Robertson papers, 1964-2012
Claire Robertson is an Emeritus Professor of Women's Studies and History at Ohio State University and has been a visiting scholar, lecturer, and adjunct professor at Indiana University, Bloomington at various times since 1978. This collection consists of a portion of Robertson’s teaching materials, research, and writings on the history and culture of women in Africa, as well as records related to her career and professional activities at Indiana University.
Thomas Sebeok papers, 1940-2001 and undated
Thomas Sebeok (1920-2001) was an internationally renowned semiotician who taught at Indiana University from 1943 to 2001. This collection documents Sebeok’s career at Indiana University and contains correspondence, subject files, publications, research and grant materials, and departmental and committee records. (89 boxes)
Martha Vicinus papers, 1969-1980
Martha Jeannette Vicinus was a faculty member of the Indiana University English Department from 1968-1982. Her papers comprise 1 cubic foot and span the period of 1971-1980. Consists largely of newsletters, flyers, pamphlets, minutes, form letters, mass mailings, interdepartmental memos, and a small amount of personal correspondence relating to the activities of American Federation of Teachers Bloomington local, women's movement in Bloomington, the creation of Women's Studies program at Indiana University, and the Modern Language Association Radical Caucus. Items are arranged chronologically within each series. (1 box)
Camilla Williams papers, 1947-2010, bulk 1978-1996
Camilla Williams was an internationally acclaimed soprano opera vocalist who broke racial bias barriers in society as well as professionally. Miss Williams came to Indiana University in 1977 as a professor of voice at the Jacobs School of Music. The collection contains performance posters, correspondence, clippings about her career and former student’s accomplishments, photographs, awards, plaques, and scrapbooks. (2 boxes)