Guide to the Gordon and Anna Watkins papers
Processed by Melissa Huntington, 2010.
Special Collections & Archives
The UCR Libraries
P.O. Box 5900
University of California
Riverside, California 92517-5900
Phone: 951-827-3233
Fax: 951-827-4673
Email: specialcollections@ucr.edu
URL: http://library.ucr.edu/view/collections/spcol
©2012
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Gordon and Anna Watkins papers
Date (inclusive): 1903-1971, undated
Date (bulk): 1956-1968
Collection Number: UA 081
Creator:
Watkins, Anna, 1884-1970
Creator:
Watkins, Gordon S, b. 1889
Extent:
5.75 linear feet
(5 document boxes, 2 flat storage boxes, 1 map case folder)
Repository: Rivera Library. Special
Collections
Department.
Abstract: This collection is comprised of manuscripts,
correspondence, photographs, documents, certificates, and other material regarding
Gordon and Anna Watkins from 1903-1971. Includes both personal and university
related items. Material reflecting the Watkins' interest in the field of economics
and his tenure as UCR's first Provost is evidenced through the various publications
and press clippings present in the collection. Memorandums, correspondence, and
sound recordings documenting the Watkins' accomplishments and time at UCR are also
included such as items regarding the establishment and construction of UCR as well
as Watkins House.
Languages: The collection is in English.
Access
This collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the University of California, Riverside Libraries,
Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections
& Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the
University of California as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to
include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by
the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item]. Gordon and Anna Watkins papers, UA 081. University
of California, Riverside Libraries, Special Collections & Archives, University
of California, Riverside.
Acquisition Information
Information unavailable.
Processing History
Processed by Melissa Huntington, 2010. Revised by Chuck Wilson, 2012.
Biography
Gordon Samuel Watkins was born on March 9, 1889 in Brynmawr, Wales. Watkins worked
with his father in the coal mines from a young age and began saving his money to
better his situation. In 1906, at the age of seventeen, he paid thirty-five dollars
for a steam ship ticket to the United States. Once in the States, he worked at
numerous places including a railroad machine shop which enabled him to pay his way
through preparatory school at Fargo College Academy in Fargo, North Dakota and
Wheaton College Academy in Wheaton, Illinois. Watkins later moved to and worked as a
lumberjack in Montana which helped pay his way through the University of Montana
where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and met Anna Davis. Anna was born on
December 22, 1884 in Mount Etna, Iowa and like her husband she completed her
undergraduate work at the University of Montana earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in
economics. The couple was married in 1917 after Gordon received his Masters of Arts
degree from the University of Illinois. Gordon later went on to earn his doctorate
from the University of Pennsylvania.
Gordon Watkins began his career as an educator when his alma mater, the University of
Illinois, hired him as an economics professor. In 1925, he joined the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA) staff as a Professor of Economics, a position he held
from 1925-1949. Gordon authored and co-authored over a dozen books on labor
economics and became a leading figure in the field. Anna, who also had a background
in economics, assisted on many of Gordon's books, articles, and speeches. Watkins
academic and literary contributions on labor economics led both Franklin D.
Roosevelt and Harry Truman to summon his assistance with fact finding and labor
arbitration during the disputes both men faced with the railroads.
In 1949, Gordon was named the first provost of the University of California,
Riverside (UCR) and was instrumental in establishing the College of Letters and
Sciences. He spent months traversing the country to locate the best building plans,
curriculum, and faculty for the campus which opened its doors on February 15, 1954.
Gordon retired in 1956 after seven years of involvement with the campus. Anna was
also deeply involved with the formation of UCR as she worked alongside her husband,
assisting him with campus planning activities and events. She was an active member
of the Citizen’s University Committee, Campus Club, and the interdenominational
religious center that Gordon helped establish. A devout Congregationalist, Gordon
reached out to the academic, religious, and local communities to support his vision
of a religious center at UCR. In 1966 his vision was finally realized with the
opening of Watkins House on campus.
Gordon Watkins died on May 5, 1970 in Santa Barbara, California and was survived by
his wife Anna, until her death later that year in August.
Chronology
1884: |
Anna Davis was born in Mount Etna, Iowa on December 22nd. |
1889: |
Gordon S. Watkins was born in Brynmawr, Wales on March 9th. |
1906: |
Gordon Watkins came to the United States. |
1914: |
Gordon Watkins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
Montana.
|
1915: |
Gordon Watkins earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of
Illinois.
|
1917: |
Gordon Watkins married Anna Davis. |
1918: |
Gordon Watkins earned a doctorate from the University of
Pennsylvania.
|
1925-1949: |
Gordon Watkins was a Professor of Economics at UCLA. |
1949: |
Gordon Watkins was named the first provost at UCR. |
1956: |
Gordon Watkins retired. |
1966: |
Watkins House opened at UCR in honor of Gordon and Anna Watkins. |
1970: |
Gordon Watkins died in Santa Barbara, California on May 5th. |
1970: |
Anna Watkins died in Santa Barbara, California on August 7th. |
Collection Scope and Content Summary
This collection is comprised of manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, documents,
certificates, and other material regarding Gordon and Anna Watkins from 1903-1971.
Includes both personal and university related items. Material reflecting the
Watkins' interest in the field of economics is evidenced through the various
publications and press clippings present in the collection. Memorandums,
correspondence, and sound recordings documenting the Watkins' accomplishments and
time at UCR are also included such as items regarding the establishment and
construction of UCR as well as Watkins House.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series. The series arrangement is as
follows:
- Series 1. Personal papers, 1903-1970, undated.
- Series 2. Professional papers, 1920-1971, undated.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
College buildings.
University of California, Riverside.
Watkins, Anna, 1884-1970
Watkins, Gordon S, b. 1889
Genres and Forms of Materials
Clippings (information artifacts).
Correspondence.
Manuscripts.
Photographs.
Series 1
Personal papers.
1903-1970, undated.
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series is comprised of correspondence, photographs, press clippings, and
other material related to Gordon and Anna Watkins. Included in this series
are press clippings regarding Anna Watkins, photographs ranging from
graduation portraits of Gordon Watkins to photographs of both Gordon and
Anna Watkins at social and university related functions, diplomas and
certificates received by both Gordon and Anna Watkins,and quilts made for
the couple by members of the UCR community.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by format type.
Box 4
Banner with an embroidered "Welcome" (pink and gold).
undated.
Box 1, Folder 1
Correspondence and other material regarding Gordon and Anna
Watkins, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin T. Coman, Helen Freeland, and Lallie
Brownell.
1956-1968.
Box 5
Design sketches and fabric samples for the Gordon and Anna
Watkins quilts.
circa 1955-1959.
Map-Case A5, Folder 4
Diplomas and certificates received by Gordon and Anna
Watkins.
1903-1960.
Box 1, Folder 2
Newspaper clippings, photographs and other material regarding
Anna Watkins.
1956-1970.
Box 1, Folder 6
Photographs of Gordon Watkins.
undated.
Box 4
Photographs of Gordon Watkins (framed).
undated.
Box 3, Folder 4
Press clippings from various German newspapers.
1923-1936.
Box 1, Folder 5
Press clippings, memorandums, and other material regarding the
death of Gordon Watkins.
1970-1971.
Box 4
Portrait of Gordon Watkins (charcoal drawing).
undated.
Box 5
Quilt made for Anna Watkins by the UCR Affiliates featuring her
initials.
circa 1955-1959.
Box 5
Quilt made for Gordon Watkins by the UCR Affiliates featuring his
initials.
circa 1955-1959.
Box 4
Sound recording of Gordon Watkins' memorial service.
January 17, 1971.
Series 2
Professional papers.
1920-1971, undated.
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series is comprised of manuscripts, press clippings, correspondence, and
other material related to the professional career of Gordon Watkins as well
as the Watkins' time at UCR. Includes material regarding plans for the
establishment and construction of UCR, the development of Watkins House, and
the creation of the Watkins Award. Additionally, this series contains
ephemera related to and recognizing the many contributions of Gordon and
Anna Watkins to the UCR community.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by format type.
Box 1, Folder 3
Articles and academic addresses written by Gordon
Watkins.
1920-1954.
Box 1, Folder 4
Articles by and about Gordon Watkins regarding UCR including his
appointment as provost, the selection of his cabinet staff, and his
retirement announcement.
1953-1961.
Box 3, Folder 3
Brochures and other material regarding the opening of Watkins
House.
undated.
Box 3, Folder 1
Brochures regarding furniture upholstery and construction
materials for Watkins House.
undated.
Box 4
Certificate honoring Gordon and Anna Watkins from the UCLA
Founders Club.
undated.
Box 4
Coin presented to Gordon Watkins as a delegate to the 400th
Anniversary Celebration of the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico
(housed in velvet box).
1951.
Box 1, Folder 3
Correspondence and memorandums by and about Gordon Watkins
regarding the Watkins Award and UCR.
1949-1966.
Box 6, Folder 15
Correspondence and memorandums regarding major and minor capital
improvements.
1951.
Box 6, Folder 10
Correspondence and minutes regarding the Library
building.
1950-1951.
Box 6, Folder 11
Correspondence and minutes regarding the Physical Sciences
building.
1950-1951.
Box 6, Folder 14
Correspondence and minutes regarding the Plant and Biological
Science building.
1950-1951.
Box 6, Folder 13
Correspondence and minutes regarding the Social Science and
Humanities building.
1950-1951.
Box 7, Folder 10
Correspondence and other material regarding Charter Day
1950
circa 1949-1950.
Box 7, Folder 11
Correspondence and other material regarding Charter Day
1951.
circa 1950-1951.
Box 7, Folder 13
Correspondence and other material regarding housing and water
needs at UCR.
circa 1950.
Box 7, Folder 12
Correspondence and other material regarding publicity for
UCR.
circa 1950-1951
Box 7, Folder 15
Correspondence and other material regarding the UCR campus
dedication.
1950.
Box 7, Folder 14
Correspondence and other material regarding the Western College
Association, University Extension, Robert G. Sproul.
circa 1950-1951.
Box 6, Folder 18
Correspondence and reports regarding the UCR campus Master
Plan.
1948-1949.
Box 3, Folder 2
Correspondence, brochures, and other material regarding Watkins
House.
undated.
Box 7, Folder 5
Correspondence, press clippings, and other material regarding the
annexation of the area that contains UCR into Riverside,
California.
circa 1954-1961.
Box 7, Folder 4
Correspondence, maps, and other material regarding the purchase
of the UCR "Big C" property on Box Springs Mountain.
circa 1954-1964.
Box 6, Folder 7
Correspondence regarding campus environs and
subdivisions.
1950-1951.
Box 6, Folder 8
Correspondence regarding campus organizations.
1950.
Box 6, Folder 6
Correspondence regarding obtaining building materials for Life
Sciences, Physical Education and Library buildings.
1951-1952.
Box 6, Folder 5
Correspondence regarding obtaining building materials for
Physical Science and Social Science & Humanities
buildings.
1951-1952.
Box 6, Folder 16
Correspondence regarding Program Committees for campus
buildings.
1950.
Box 6, Folder 17
Correspondence regarding the Campus Plan.
1950-1951.
Box 6, Folder 12
Correspondence regarding the Committee on Buildings and Campus
Development.
1951.
Box 3, Folder 1
Correspondence regarding Watkins House.
1954-1956.
Box 7, Folder 1
Correspondence, reports, and other material regarding Gordon
Watkins' sabbatical leave.
1949-1950.
Box 7, Folder 2
Correspondence with Charles B. O'Neill.
1950-1966.
Box 7, Folder 3
Correspondence with Charles B. O'Neill.
1967-1970.
Box 6, Folder 2
Correspondence with Citrus Experiment Station Director Leon
Batchelor.
1949-1951.
Box 6, Folder 1
Correspondence with University of California Vice President C.B.
Hutchison regarding UCR building plans.
1951.
Box 6, Folder 4
Correspondence with University of California Vice President James
Corley.
1950-1951.
Box 6, Folder 3
Correspondence with various people including Nobel Prize winner
Ralph Bunche and Dr. Remsen Bird, declining to be considered for the
chancellorship at UCLA.
1950-1951.
Box 7, Folder 7
Lease and correspondence between the Beaumont Irrigation District
and the Regents of the University of California regarding
land.
circa 1939-1941
Box 7, Folder 8
Lease and correspondence regarding the UCR "Big C" property on
Box Springs Mountain.
circa 1962-1963.
Box 7, Folder 6
Lease between The Berylwood Investment Company and the Regents of
the University of California regarding the "T.R. Bard
Tract."
circa 1938.
Box 4
Mailing tube from UC Berkeley to Provost Gordon Watkins,
UCR.
July 1956.
Box 2, Folder 2
Manuscript and correspondence regarding
Justice as a Dynamic Ideal by Gordon Watkins (manuscript
chapters 1-6/typed).
undated.
Box 2, Folder 3
Manuscript of
Justice as a Dynamic
Ideal
by Gordon Watkins (manuscript chapters
10-14/typed).
undated.
Box 2, Folder 4
Manuscript outline by Gordon Watkins titled
The Quest for the Good Society (typed/hand
annotated).
undated.
Box 2, Folder 4
Manuscripts of articles written by Gordon Watkins regarding UCR
(typed).
1962.
Box 6, Folder 9
Minutes of meetings held on the Physical Education
Building.
1950-1951.
Box 7, Folder 9
Minutes of the Provost's Advisory Administrative
Council.
1951.
Box 4
Photobook documenting Gordon Watkins' tenure at UCR.
undated.
Box 4
Plate honoring Gordon and Anna Watkins (replica of UCR Watkins
Award).
undated.
Box 4
Plate honoring Gordon Watkins presented by Pacific Telephone
commemorating the first long distance phone call from Riverside,
California to the White House
June 19,1954.
Box 2, Folder 1
Press clippings and publications regarding labor
economics.
1918-1922.
Box 1, Folder 7
Press clippings, correspondence, and other material regarding
UCR.
1954-1970.
Box 4
Sound recording of speech given by Gordon Watkins at Watkins
House.
circa 1963-1965.