James Ralston Caldwell family papers, 1925-2014, bulk 1925-1965

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Caldwell, James Ralston, 1900-1965, Field, Katherine, Wood, Charles Erskine Scott, 1852-1944, Field, Sara Bard, 1882-1974, and Caldwell, Josephine
Abstract:
The James Ralston Caldwell papers include materials relating to the Loyalty Oath Controversy on the University of California and the University of Nevada campuses, a small amount of material relating to Caldwell's writing, and personal papers containing correspondence and materials concerning Caldwell's death. Correspondents include Reginald Francis Arragon, George Boas, Arthur H. Brayfield, the University of California Board of Regents, Robert G. Sproul, Group for Academic Freedom, Charlton Laird, and personal correspondence between James Caldwell and his wife Katherine Field (Katherine Ehrgott Caldwell) and with Caldwell's sister Josephine Caldwell.
Extent:
2 linear feet )1 carton, 2 boxes)
Language:
English , English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], James Ralston Caldwell Papers, BANC MSS 67/97 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The James Ralston Caldwell family papers include both professional papers and correspondence and personal and family correspondence and photographs.

Among the professional materials in the collection are some materials relating to the Loyalty Oath Controversy on the University of California and the University of Nevada campuses. The Loyalty Oath Controversy began when Universities around the country insisted on faculty and staff to sign oath of loyalty to the United States and state that they did not belong or believe in any organizations advocating the overthrow of the United States government including the Communist Party. In 1949 the University of California instituted such an oath and 31 professors and many university employees were dismissed for not signing. A Loyalty Oath was also instituted at the University of Nevada where professor Frank Richardson was fired for refusing to sign and took the University to court. The Caldwell papers include correspondence relating to the controversy at the University of California as well as other campuses across the United States, different University of California committee papers relating to the controversy, and documents and clippings about the dismissal proceedings by the University of Nevada against Frank Richardson. Correspondents include Reginald Francis Arragon, George Boas, Arthur H. Brayfield, the University of California Board of Regents, Robert G. Sproul, Group for Academic Freedom, Charlton Laird.

Materials relating to Caldwell's writing includes letters of praise for his work John Keats Fancy, correspondence about his poetry and to his wife about publishing an unfinished work after his death. Manuscripts include, "Consider the Source," "What to Tell the Emperor," other essays and some poems. Also included are some reviews of Caldwell's work as well as reviews done by Caldwell and a list of publications by Caldwell from early in his career in 1939.

Personal and family papers include correspondence, some family miscellany, and photographs. Correspondence includes letters exchanged between James Ralston Caldwell and his wife Katherine Field (Ehrgott) Caldwell; letters from James Ralston Caldwell to his sister, Josephine Caldwell; letters from Katherine Field (Ehrgott) Caldwell to Josephine Caldwell; letters exchanged between James Ralston Caldwell and C.E.S. Wood and Sara Bard Field (his in-laws); letters from C.E.S. Wood to Katherine Field (Ehrgott) Caldwell; letters exchanged between James Ralston Caldwell and Anna Hyatt Caldwell and between Katherine Field (Ehrgott) Caldwell and Anna Hyatt Caldwell. There are also a few letters to Sara Caldwell (daughter of James Ralston Caldwell and Katherine Field (Ehrgott) Caldwell).

Other family materials include correspondence, obituaries and eulogies on the occasion of James Ralston Caldwell's death and a folder of poems by Sara Bard Field and C.E.S. Wood.

Finally, the collection includes two folders of family photographs consisting of photographs of the Caldwell family as well as some photographs of Katherine Field (Ehrgott) Caldwell and her parents.

Biographical / historical:

Date Event
1900 Born on Jan. 20 in Hastings, Minnesota.
1922 Received baccalaureate from Princeton University, major in philosophy.
1925 Received A.M. from University of Wisconsin, in English.
1929 On September 1, married Katherine Field Ehrgott.
1930
Awarded Ph.D. from Harvard.
Joined University of California faculty in Berkeley, California, as assistant professor of English.
1946 Attained professorship at the University of California.
1950-1951 Loyalty Oath Controversy at the University of California.
1965 Died on April 4.

Date Event
1900
Born on Jan. 20 in Hastings, Minnesota.
1922
Received baccalaureate from Princeton University, major in philosophy.
1925
Received A.M. from University of Wisconsin, in English.
1929
On September 1, married Katherine Field Ehrgott.
1930
Awarded Ph.D. from Harvard.
Joined University of California faculty in Berkeley, California, as assistant professor of English.
1946
Attained professorship at the University of California.
1950-1951
Loyalty Oath Controversy at the University of California.
1965
Died on April 4.
Acquisition information:
The James Ralston Caldwell papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Katherine Field Caldwell on January 9, 1967. Additions were made by Dan Caldwell on May 5, 2004. Additions were made by Sara Wood Smith in 2020-2021.
Processing information:

Processed by Alison E. Bridger in 2004. Additions processed by Lara Michels in 2022.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], James Ralston Caldwell Papers, BANC MSS 67/97 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
Website