Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives

Title: Hazel D. Hansen papers

Creator: Hansen, Hazel Dorothy.

Identifier/Call Number: SC1560

Physical Description: 1.5 Linear Feet

Date (inclusive): 1818-1963

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[identification of item] Collection Name (Call Number). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Materials are open for research use.

Dr. Hazel D. Hansen (1899-1962) was a native of San Mateo, studied at Stanford, received her Bachelor's degree in 1920 and her Master's degree in 1921. Her Master's thesis was a "Study of the Persians of Aeschylus." From 1922 to 1925 she continued her graduate studies at the American School of Classical Studies, Athens, Greece. After her return to Stanford she earned her Ph.D. degree in 1926 with a thesis "Early Civilization in Thessaly." A book with the same title was published in 1933. A. T. Murray, known for his translation of Homer, was her inspiring teacher; and in later years she worked with him as a collaborator. The year 1927-28 was spent again in Greece; that year she held the Alice Freeman Palmer Fellowship of the American Association of University Women. After her return to Stanford in 1928, she became an Instructor in the Department of Classics, in 1931 she became Assistant Professor and in 1935 Associate Professor. Her promotion to full professor in 1940 was based on her recognized standing among the classical archaeologists, especially in the field of Aegean prehistory. At that time Dr. Hansen was already deeply involved in a project which remained unfinished when she died: "The Early Civilization in Skyros." Skyros is a small island in the Aegean Sea, where she spent many summers cataloguing the excavated material (vases, bones, etc.). The Greek government recognized her efforts, made her an honorary Greek citizen, and gave her permission to publish her findings. Later the Archaeological Service of the Greek Ministry requested that she write a guidebook for the Skyros Museum. The American School of Classical Studies in Athens appreciated the work of the former student; she was invited to teach there in her sabbatical year 1956-57. She became a member of the managing committee of the School and served on its executive committee for several years.

At Stanford, Dr. Hansen taught courses in Greek language and Archaeology. She was an excellent undergraduate teacher and a popular undergraduate adviser. She took a personal interest in her students and enjoyed being a Faculty Associate in student residences. She also helped found the Stanford Society of the Archaeological Institute of America in 1961. She had been active in the parent Archaeological Institute for many years before she started the local Society. Dr. Hansen was also President of the Research Club of Stanford University and an active member of the formerly men's only Faculty Club.

Adapted from https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:sg475zd2579/SC0193_MemorialResolution_HansenH.pdf

This collection consists of biographical information, press clippings, correspondence, reports, lectures, research notes, and a handwritten manuscript on Greece.