Collection ID: C461
Printable View Printable View

Collection context

Summary

Abstract:
Published from 1923 until 1931, primarily as a bi-monthly publication with some interruption, The vagabond featured the poetry, visual art, essays, criticism, short stories and humor which targeted not only Indiana University's undergraduates, but also its alumni and prominent members of the faculty.
Extent:
1 cubic foot (3 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Item], The Vagabond., Collection C461, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

With an introduction from then Indiana University President, William Lowe Bryan, the first issue of The Vagabond appeared in October of 1923, as a bimonthly student publication, carrying poems, essays, short stories, sketches, and humor. The publication statement of the first edition outlined the twofold objectives of the publication stating: "the magazine offers a medium of expression for the literary life of campus; and it hopes to hasten a rebirth of science, art, and life at Indiana." The first editor-in-chief was Mauck Brammer, followed by Philip B. Rice and Robert E. Harris, Edmund Bierwagen, John H. Johnson, Maurice H. Smith, Walter Grant and Robert Fink, and Robert Hallstead.

Featuring articles which were often highly satirical, critical of the university and sometimes quite risqué , The Vagabond, as might be expected, often aroused a great deal of disapproval from the campus community. In January of 1927, then editor John Johnson ran the article "The College Student: Juvenile Sophisticate" which painted a highly critical picture of the typical campus student. The article resulted in the expulsion of both the editor and the author of the article and as a result, only one issue ofthe magazine was published in 1927 and 1928. Following the scandal, the magazine was again revived in 1929 to its original standing. The last known issue was published in April 1931.

Scope and Content:

Published from 1923 until 1931, primarily as a bi-monthly publication with some interruption, The Vagabond featured the poetry, visual art, essays, criticism, short stories and humor which targeted not only Indiana University's undergraduates, but also its alumni and prominent members of the faculty. Often, articles were authored under humorous, though rather obvious pseudonyms, the most famous of which was William E. Moenkhaus who worked under the pen name Wolfgang Beethoven Bunkhaus.

The cover and pages of each issue were highlighted by reproductions of paintings, sculpture and prints by talented members of the student body as well as notable members of the faculty such as T.C. Steele, Robert E. Burke and Harry Engel. Reoccurring columns such as the "Campus Silhouette" humorously highlighted noted members of the campus faculty and administration, such as T.C. Steele, Carl Eigenmann and Dean Charles Sembower. The column "Notes on Higher Education at Indiana" featured articles highly critical of the university, and documented topics such as mandatory R.O.T.C. participation, athletics, greek life and the Business School. Other highly satirical editorials sought to address other hot issues of the era such as racial inequality, the influence of the Ku Klux Klan, gender inequality, and the existence of women's dormitory hours. Other articles were satirical simply for the sake of humor such as the article "In Defense of Necking," or featured the now bygone campus landmarks such as the Book Nook and the wooden boardwalk.

Processing information:

Processed by Carrie Schwier.

Completed in 2012.

Arrangement:

The collection of publications is organized chronologically.

Online content

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], The Vagabond., Collection C461, 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