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Adams (John) Papers
MS-0377
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & University Archives
Title: John Adams Papers
Creator:
Adams, John
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0377
Physical Description:
1.46 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1919-1987
Date (bulk): 1930-1979
Language of Material:
English
.
The
John Adams Papers document Adams' publications and research, his years at San Diego State College as a professor, department chair, and University
Archivist, his relationship with San Diego Union as book reviewer, and some limited parts of his personal life. The collection
dates from approximately 1919-1982, with the bulk of documents created from the 1930s-1970s. The collection consists predominantly
of publications and correspondence created during John Adams years at Michigan and San Diego State College. It is divided
into four series:
Publications,
San Diego State College,
San Diego Union, and
Personal. Several other collections donated by John and Jane are described and housed separately from these materials. They are
listed under a subsequent heading in this finding aid.
The
Publications documents the public face of John Adams' during his years at the University of Michigan and San Diego State College. Included
are some of Adams' own articles published at Michigan, as well as some books and manuscripts he edited or helped other authors
complete. It is arranged alphabetically by file name, and dates from 1921-74.
The
San Diego State College series dates from 1931 to 1972, with the bulk of documents generated during the 1950s, and documents John Adams' departure
from the University of Washington, as well as his work at San Diego State College. The series is almost entirely comprised
of correspondence documenting such varied topics as the dedication of the Adams Humanities Building and the establishment
of San Diego State University's University Archives. Folders are arranged chronologically, but there is little order within
each folder.
The
San Diego Union series dates from 1931-1982, with the bulk of documents generated during the 1930s. The series documents Adams' work reading
and publishing book reviews in the San Diego Union, consisting primarily of correspondence between the author and editors.
Book reviews published after the 1930s are covered somewhat unevenly. Files are arranged both in alpha-numeric order.
[url=https://digital.sdsu.edu/view-item?key=R3siTiI6NDksIlAiOnsiaXRlbV90eXBlcyI6WzJdfX0&pg=20&WINID=1560012932595#v1jLIIu5UnQAAAFrN_WnMQ/290294]Now
available online[/url], the
Personal series, dating from 1926-1977 documents John and Jane Adams' work as private collectors and the process of donating materials
to SDSU's Special Collections and University Archives department, as well as their personal lives and relationships. It includes
correspondence about collecting political buttons, books, memorabilia and ephemera, postcards, and papers, as well as some
family correspondence and Christmas postcards by notable artist and friend of the Adams', Everett Gee Jackson.
The final folders of this series are letters, often poignant, to the Adams' from SDSU students serving in WWII, telling of
their experiences, hopes, and fears.
Of note in this series is a letter from Some D. Ching, a Chinese-American student who admired Dr. Adams. He speaks of the
privilege of education and its role in America and the world after the war. It is arranged alphabetically by file name.
I. Publications, 1921-74
II. San Diego State College, 1931-1972
III. San Diego Union, 1931-1982
IV. Personal, 1926-1977
This collection is open for research.
Copyright interests in some the materials found in this collection are owned by San Diego State University. Some materials
may be in the public domain. Special Collections and University Archives can only grant permission to publish materials for
which it is the copyright holder. For further information, please consult the section on copyright in the rules for using
the collections, or contact the United States Copyright Office at (202) 707-3000 or http://www.copyright.gov.
John Adams
Jane Adams Recipe and Menu Collection, 1920-1959
John and Jane Adams Artwork Collection, 1890-1936
John and Jane Adams Autograph Album Collection, 1851-1933
John and Jane Adams Ephemera Collection, 1856-1996
John and Jane Adams Greeting Card Collection, 1830-1970
John and Jane Adams Photograph Collection, 1840-1946
John and Jane Adams Postcard Collection, 1880-2007
John and Jane Adams Trade Card Collection, 1975-1915
WWII San Diego State College Servicemen's Correspondence Collection, 1941-1946
Identification of item, folder title, box number, John Adams Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego
State University Library.
John Adams was born 22 July 1900 in Cincinnati, Ohio. While attending college at the University of Michigan, John met and
married his wife, Jane. In 1925 the couple moved to Seattle where John had secured a position at the University of Washington.
While in Seattle John contracted tuberculosis, and so, in 1928 the couple moved to San Diego to help improve his health. He
soon accepted a position at San Diego State Teachers College teaching English Composition. As part of his long career at
San Diego State, Dr. Adams eventually became Chairman of Humanities, a post he held from 1956 to his retirement in 1968.
Throughout his years at Michigan, Washington, and San Diego State, John Adams worked to publish articles, books, and book
reviews, and built numerous collections with his wife, Jane, of postcards, cookbooks, books, and ephemera, etc. Much of the
correspondence generated in these pursuits is included in the collection.
After his retirement in 1968, John Adams became part-time university archivist for San Diego State College. John and Jane
donated generously to the university. Their donations consisted of books, postcards, ephemera, and manuscripts. One of the
university's most noted academicians, Dr. Adams' name graces the Adams Humanities Building, which opened in 1977. Both John
and his wife were charter members of the Friends of the Library, with John serving as chairman of the group.
9999-136
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Personal Papers
Adams, John R., 1900-1994--Archives
San Diego State University--Faculty--Biography--Sources
San Diego State University. Library. Department of Special Collections--History--Sources