Historical note
Scope and Content
Preferred Citation
Conditions Governing Use
Conditions Governing Access
Related Archival Materials
Processing Information
Organization
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: University of Southern California School of Philosophy records
Creator:
Hospers, John
Creator:
Gomperz , Theodor
Creator:
Helsel, Paul R.
Creator:
Gomperz, Heinrich
Creator:
Fuller, B. A. G. (Benjamin Apthorp Gould)
Creator:
Schiller, F. C. S. (Ferdinand Canning Scott)
Creator:
Robinson, Daniel Sommer
Creator:
Werkmeister, W. H. (William Henry)
Creator:
Flewelling, Ralph Tyler
Creator:
University of Southern California. School of Philosophy
Identifier/Call Number: 5095
Identifier/Call Number: 1373
Physical Description:
47.6 Linear Feet
57 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1889-2000s
Date (bulk): 1903-1977
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).
Language of Material: 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.
Historical note
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.
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.
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
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Related Archival Materials
See:
1. Schiller, F.C.S., [A collection of manuscript lecture notes written and used by F.C.S. Schiller/presented to Hoose Library,
University of Southern California by the School of Philosophy, University of Southern California] -- consists of 800 leaves
of paper, part of which are written on both sides], located in the Hoose Library of Philosophy, University of Southern California.
2. Ferdinand Canning Scott Schiller Papers, ca. 1870-1940, Collection 191, Special Collections, Young Research Library, University
of California, Los Angeles.
3. Theodor and Heinrich Gomperz Correspondence, [1890-1942], Collection no. 0185, Special Collections, University of Southern
California.
4. Theodore and Heinrich Gomperz Collection, Collection H1959.1, Special Collections, Honnold/Mudd Library, Libraries of the
Claremont Colleges.
5. B.A.G. Fuller Autograph Collection, 1620-1920 (MS Am 1603-1603.3). Houghton Library, Harvard University.
6. William Torrey Harris Correspondence, 1850-1910, Collection no. 0184, Special Collections, University of Southern California.
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.
Organization
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
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Publications
Universities and colleges -- California -- Los Angeles -- Administration -- Archival resources
Philosophers -- United States -- Archival resources
Programs (documents)
Memorandums
Philosophy -- Periodicals -- Archival resources
Reports
Philosophy -- Study and teaching -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resourcews
Clippings
Personalism -- Archival resources
Universities and colleges -- Faculty -- Archival resources
Correspondence
Brochures
Photographs
Fund raising -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archival resources
Manuscripts
Royce, Josiah -- Archives
Robinson, Daniel Sommer -- Archives
University of Southern California. School of Philosophy -- Faculty
Werkmeister, W. H. (William Henry) -- Archives
Schiller, F. C. S. (Ferdinand Canning Scott) -- Archives
Mudd, Seeley Wintersmith -- Archives
Hospers, John -- Archives
American Philosophical Association. Western Division -- Archives
Fuller, B. A. G. (Benjamin Apthorp Gould) -- Archives
University of Southern California. School of Philosophy -- Archives
Helsel, Paul R. -- Archives
Hoose Library of Philosophy
Harris, William Torrey -- Archives
Flewelling, Ralph Tyler -- Archives
Gomperz , Theodor -- Archives
Gomperz, Heinrich -- Archives