Collection ID: C157
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Siffin, William J.
Abstract:
Consists of personal papers of William J. Siffin. There are three series: Correspondence, 1962-1993, containing both incoming and outgoing correspondence; Publications, 1962-1990, containing articles and his book The legislative council in the American states; and Teaching, 1960-1991, containing materials from his classes and files for the graduate students he advised.
Extent:
7 cubic feet
Language:
Materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], William J. Siffin papers, Collection C157, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

William J. Siffin was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 31, 1922. He first came to Indiana University as a student, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1943. Following his graduation, Siffin worked as a management trainee, an administrative staff officer, and an administrative analyst with the Tennessee Valley Authority. He left the TVA in 1948 for the University of Minnesota, where he earned an M.A. in Public Administration. From there he went to Harvard University, completing a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government in 1957.

By 1952, Siffin had returned to Indiana University, joining the faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Government (now the Department of Political Science). He advanced steadily through the department, reaching the rank of Professor in 1966. Aside from his teaching duties, Siffin served the department as director of graduate studies from 1961-1963 and as acting director and coordinator of the Carnegie Seminar from 1962-1964. (For additional materials on the Carnegie Seminar, see Collection #158.) In 1975 he was given the additional title of Professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He retired in 1988 as Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public and Environmental Affairs.

Siffin was also an active administrator. From 1970-1972 he was on leave from IU, serving as Director of the Office of Development Administration at the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington, DC. Upon his return to IU, he became Director of the International Development Research Center-- later renamed the International Development Institute (see Collection #159)-- and of the Program of Advanced Studies in Institution Building and Technical Assistance Methodology, PASITAM (see Collection #160).

Even after his retirement, Siffin maintained an active professional life. Though plagued by health problems, he was frequently in his university office, continuing to teach, write, and do consulting work. William Siffin died on June 18, 1993 at the age of 71.

Scope and Content:

The William Siffin Papers are organized in three series. The Correspondence Series contains both Siffin's incoming and outgoing correspondence between the years 1962 and 1993. It is made up of two subseries, a chronological file dating from 1965-1993 and a subject/author subseries. The subject/author subseries is arranged alphabetically and holds material from 1962-1987.

Siffin was an enthusiastic scholar and author. The Publications Series contains copies of his numerous articles and his book The Legislative Council in the American States. With the exception of the bound volumes, which appear at the end of the series, the material is arranged alphabetically by title. Although some of the material in this series is undated, most of it was published between 1962 and 1990. Additionally, Siffin often solicited comments from colleagues on drafts of his writings. These are also in this series, foldered with the article to which they relate.

The Teaching Series is also made up of two subseries. The first contains materials which Siffin developed for his classes. Arranged by course number, much of this material is undated. Dates have been added to folders where available. The second subseries is composed of files for the graduate students whom Siffin advised. Much of this material consists of communications between Siffin and his graduate students, though occasionally drafts of dissertation chapters and other such work-in-progress are present as well. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by the student's last name.

Acquisition information:
Gift of daughter, Louise Siffin, 1996; Accession 96/001.
Processing information:

Processed by Wade Wycoff.

Completed in 1999.

Arrangement:

Organized in three series: Correspondence, Publications, and Teaching.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Advance notice is 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], William J. Siffin papers, Collection C157, 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