Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Edgerton, William B. (William Benbow), 1914-2004
- Abstract:
- William B. Edgerton was a professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures (1958-1983) and Chairman of the department (1958-1965, 1969-1973) at Indiana University. His research and teaching interests focused on eighteenth and nineteenth century Russian literature. The collection consists of correspondence, materials relating to his professional activities, and records pertaining to his teaching career.
- Extent:
- 9.2 cubic feet (10 boxes)
- Language:
- Materials are in English
- Preferred citation:
[Item], William B. Edgerton papers, Collection C375, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Born March 11, 1914, in Winton-Salem, North Carolina, William Benbow Edgerton received his B.A. in 1934 from Guilford College, his M.A. from Haverford College in 1935 and his Ph.D. in Russian Literature from Columbia University in 1954.
Edgerton joined the faculty at Indiana University as Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures in 1958. His research and teaching interests focused on eighteenth and nineteenth century Russian literature. From 1958-1965 and then again from 1969-1973, Edgerton served as chair of the department. He retired in 1983.
A prominent figure in Slavic studies, Edgerton was actively involved in the development of the field of Slavic studies beginning in the 1950s. Outside of IU, Edgerton's involvement in professional organizations included founding and serving as the first president of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies. Additionally, Edgerton served as a consultant for the Ford Foundation. Works attributed to Edgerton include his editorial work on the Columbia Dictionary of Modern European Literature and his translations of Memoirs of peasant tolstoyans in Soviet Russia, and Satirical Stories.
William Edgerton died on February 8, 2004.
- Scope and Content:
The papers of William B. Edgerton are organized into three series: Correspondence; Subject files; and Teaching and advising.
The first series, Correspondence, is arranged alphabetically by correspondent surname. The majority of the correspondence is with fellow scholars in the field of Slavic and East European Studies. Frequent correspondents include Felix Oinas and Edgar Lehrman.
Arranged alphabetically by folder title, the Subject files series contains information on a wide variety of subjects, such as professional organizations, consulting activities, and materials relating to Edgerton's work at IU. Prominent subjects in this series include the American Committee of Slavists, the Ford Foundation, and the Russian and East European Institute.
The final series, Teaching and advising, is arranged alphabetically and consists primarily of files on students for whom Edgerton served as a member of their dissertation committee. The majority of the materials in this series are correspondence between Edgerton and the students and Edgerton's notes on their dissertation.
Restricted materials have been listed where they fall intellectually but have been placed at the end of Box 9 and in Box 10.
- Acquisition information:
Accession Information: 2001/055
Accession information - 2022/102
- Custodial history:
Transferred from the department of Slavic Languages and Literatures to the University Archives, July 2001.
Folder of correspondence with Richard Davies deposited with University Archives, July 2022
- Processing information:
Processed by Crystal Matjasic.
- Arrangement:
Collection is organized into three series; Correspondence, Subject files, and Teaching and advising.
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
- Russian literature --18th century --Study and teaching (Higher) --Indiana --Bloomington.
Russian literature --19th century --Study and teaching (Higher) --Indiana --Bloomington.
Slavists --Indiana --Bloomington --Archives. - Names:
- Indiana University, Bloomington. Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Edgerton, William B. (William Benbow), 1914-2004 -- Archives
Edgerton, William B. (William Benbow), 1914-2004 -- Correspondence
Online content
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Select files containing letters of recommendation closed to researchers. Advance notice required for access to collection.
- 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 B. Edgerton papers, Collection C375, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Herman B Wells Library E4601320 East Tenth StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
812-855-1127archives@indiana.edu