Collection ID: C183
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Bidney, David, 1908-1987
Abstract:
David Bidney was hired at Indiana University as an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology in September of 1950 where he remained until his retirement on 1 July 1974. The David Bidney papers comprise 6.4 cubic feet and span 1930-1974 and includes correspondence, course materials, and information on his professional organizations, writing, and research.
Extent:
6.4 cubic feet
Language:
Materials are in English unless otherwise indicated.
Preferred citation:

[Item], David Bidney papers, Collection C183, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

David Bidney was born on 25 September 1908 in Ukraine, Russia. As an undergraduate Bidney attended classes at the University of Toronto where he received both his BA in 1928 and his MA in 1929. Bidney then went on to finish his PhD at Yale University in 1932.

After completing his PhD Bidney held a variety of positions prior to his coming to Indiana University in 1950, including Instructor in Philosophy at Yale University from 1940-1942 and a Guggenheim Fellowship in Anthropology in 1950.

Bidney was hired at Indiana University as an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology in September of 1950. He achieved the rank of Professor in 1955 and was named Professor Emeritus on 1 July 1974.

During his tenure at Indiana University Bidney was a highly active member of the academic community. He published many articles, presented many papers, and even wrote books on both the subjects of Anthropology and Philosophy. Bidney was a renown Spinoza scholar and received many honors for his work entitled "Theoretical Anthropology," which became a standard text in many anthropology classes around the country. David Bidney died in 1987.

Scope and Content:

Series one contains correspondence relating to Bidney's early career before his arrival at Indiana University. There are both incoming and out going letters. (1937-1946)

Series two, Writing and research notes, consists of articles and Manuscript material written by Bidney as well as articles inspired by or dedicated to Bidney. (1930-1972)

Series three, Class lecture material, is by far the most comprehensive series in the collection. The material gathered here are the lecture materials concerning all of the Anthropology and Philosophy classes Bidney taught at Indiana University. The lecture materials more specifically consist of lecture notes, class minutes kept by the students, and some blank test material. (1950-1974)

The fourth series, Professional Material, consists of a few odd items. Included are items such as a resume from early in Bidney's career and a brief span of agenda items from meetings held by the Department of Anthropology. (1966-1968?)

Acquisition information:
Accession # 2001/017
Processing information:

Processed by Kristen Sanders

Completed in 2001

Arrangement:

David Bidney papers organized in four series: Correspondence, Writing and research notes, Class lecture material and Professional material.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.

The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.

Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], David Bidney papers, Collection C183, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Herman B Wells Library E460
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
812-855-1127
archives@indiana.edu