University of Southern California School of Philosophy records, 1889-2000s, bulk 1903-1977

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Summary

Creators:
Hospers, John, Gomperz , Theodor, Helsel, Paul R., Gomperz, Heinrich, Fuller, B. A. G. (Benjamin Apthorp Gould), Schiller, F. C. S. (Ferdinand Canning Scott), Robinson, Daniel Sommer, Werkmeister, W. H. (William Henry), Flewelling, Ralph Tyler, and University of Southern California. School of Philosophy
Abstract:
The University of Southern California School of Philosophy was established in 1929 by the USC Board of Trustees, replacing the Department of Philosophy. The first director of the School was Ralph Tyler Flewelling, who previously served as chair of the deparment and was instrumental in getting the School approved. These records primarily contain the administrative files of the early School directors, beginning with Flewelling, followed by Daniel S. Robinson, W.H. Werkmeister, and John Hospers, and professional files and some personal files of Flewelling and Robinson, as well as several faculty members, including B.A.G Fuller, Heinrich Gomperz, Paul Helsel, and F.C.S. Schiller. In addition, the records contain files on the James Harmon Hoose Library of Philosophy, "The Personalist", and selected students. The dates of the collection are 1889-1988 (bulk dates, 1903-1977).
Extent:
47.6 Linear Feet 57 boxes
Language:
While the bulk of the material contained in this collection are in English, there are also items in German, primarily in the Henirich Gomperz series.
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], University of Southern California School of Philosophy records, Collection no. 5095, University Archives, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Background

Scope and content:

The School of Philosophy, which began as the Department of Philosophy, was established by the USC Board of Trustees in 1929. The records of the University of Southern California School of Philosophy primarily document the activities of school directors and faculty members from 1929-1969. In addition, the records contain files pertaining to the professional and personal activities, including research and publications, of these individuals. In addition, the collection consists of series focusing on the James Harmon Hoose Library of Philosophy and the journal "The Personalist", as well as to students applying and/or accepted for admission to the School. The records consist of brochures, clippings, correspondence, manuscripts, memorandums, photographs, programs, publications, and reports. The overall dates of the records are 1889-1978, 1988.

The Directors represented in the records are the first director, Ralph T. Flewelling (1929-1945); Daniel S. Robinson (1946-1954); W.H. Werkmeister (1954-1966); and John Hospers (1968-1988). The files of faculty members include B.A.G. Fuller, Heinrich Gomperz, Paul Helsel, and F.C.S. Schiller.

Biographical / historical:

The University of Southern California (USC) School of Philosophy, which began initially as the Department of Philosophy, was officially established in May 1929. The first director of the new school was Ralph Tyler Flewelling, a professor of philosophy at USC since 1917 and head of the philosophy department at the time.

In December 1929, the School moved into the newly completed Seeley Wintersmith Mudd Memorial Hall of Philosophy, which still serves as its home on the USC University Park Campus (UPC). In addition to offices, classrooms, and lecture halls, Mudd Memorial Hall is also home to the James Harmon Hoose Library of Philosophy named for noted USC philosophy professor and the first department head James Harmon Hoose.

Prior to moving to Mudd Memorial Hall, the School and its predecessor were housed in the George Finley Bovard Administration Building, which opened in 1921. The north wing of the building was called the James Harmon Hoose Hall of Philosophy, and included the philosophy library.

The School published the journal "The Personalist" beginning in 1920, a quarterly focusing on philosophy, religion, and literature. Flewelling was the founding editor. In 1980, the School changed the journal's name to the "Pacific Philosophical Quarterly". Early directors of the School were Ralph Tyler Flewelling (1929-1945); Daniel Summer Robinson (1945-1954); William H. Werkmeister (1954-1966); and John Hospers (1968-1988). In addition, other notable faculty members included H. Weldon Carr, F.C.S. Schiller, B.A.G. Fuller, Heinrich Gomperz, and Paul Helsel, as well as F.A. Hoernle.

Processing information:

The materials from the Daniel Robinson photographs and clippings, Collection #5188, were combined with the USC School of Philosophy records. As a result, Collection #5188 no longer exists.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series: 1) Flewelling, Ralph Tyler; 2) Fuller, B.A.G.; 3) Gomperz, Heinrich; 4) Helsel, Paul R.; 5) Higginbotham, James; 6) Hoose Library; 7) Hospers, John; 8) Robinson, Daniel S.; 9) Schiller, F.C.S.; 10) Werkmeister, W.H.; 11) The Personalist; 12) Student Files

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections 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.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], University of Southern California School of Philosophy records, Collection no. 5095, University Archives, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Location of this collection:
Doheny Memorial Library, Room 209
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189, US
Contact:
(213) 740-2587
specol@usc.edu
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