John Calvin French papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0070

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

he collection consists largely of John Calvin French's research and manuscript notes dealing with the founding of The Johns Hopkins University in 1876 and its later development through the 1940s. The material formed the basis for French's book, "History of the University Founded by Johns Hopkins" (1946). The collection also includes French's correspondence with University colleagues and some Baltimore literary figures including H.L. Mencken and Lisette Woodworth Reese. Final items are a clippings file and card file with literary references.

Dates

Creation: 1928-1957

Creator

French, John Calvin, 1875- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical / Historical

John Calvin French was professor of English and librarian at The Johns Hopkins University. He was born in Monmouth Illinois in 1875. Both his academic and professional careers were spent at Hopkins. From Hopkins, French received the B.A. degree in 1899 and the Ph. D. in English, 1905. He taught in the Department of English, 1904-1927, and was appointed University Librarian in 1927, a position he held until his retirement as Professor and Librarian Emeritus in 1965. French's writings included both literary subjects and style manuals for college English. In 1946, he published a history of Hopkins titled, "A History of the University founded by Johns Hopkins." John Calvin French died in Baltimore, August 24, 1965.

Extent

1.78 Cubic Feet (3 letter size document boxes, 1 legal size document box, 1 pamphlet box (7.25 x 4 x 10 inches))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

John Calvin French was professor of English and librarian at The Johns Hopkins University and author of "A History of the University founded by Johns Hopkins." The collection consists largely of his research and manuscript notes dealing with the founding and later development of the University dating from 1928-1957.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was given to the University by John C. French in 1945.

Processing Information

This is no known processing information for this collection.

Liz Beckman revised the Biographical note in this finding aid in September 2023 to bring it into compliance with Johns Hopkins guidelines for inclusive and conscientious description (2023). The previous version of the finding aid is available upon request.