Robert Oaks Papers, 1908-2001, bulk 1976-1990

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Summary

Creators:
Oaks, Robert F., 1942-
Abstract:
Robert F. Oaks is a historian with a primary interest in Colonial America and the American Revolution. In the late 1970s he developed an interest in gay history, too. The collection contains letters from gay historians, research notes for articles on homosexuality in 17th and 18th century America, photocopies of relevant articles by other historians, and some general material related to gay causes in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Extent:
2.0 boxes (1 cubic ft.)
Language:
Collection materials are in English, with one article in French. and Collections materials are in English, with one article in French.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Roberts Oaks Papers (GLC 56), Gay and Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains letters from gay historians, research notes for articles on homosexuality in 17th and 18th century America, photocopies of relevant articles of other historians, and some general material related to gay causes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Correspondents include Jonathan Katz, Lou Crompton, and Sal Licata.

Biographical / historical:

Robert Francis Oaks is a fifth generation Californian, born in Escondido in 1942. After receiving a B.A. from Stanford and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, he taught for a few years, primarily in Texas. With a specialty in Colonial America and the American Revolution, in the late 1970s he developed an interest in gay history.

He published several articles in professional historical journals and was a weekly cast member of a gay radio show in Dallas. He had frequent correspondence with prominent gay historians around the country and interviewed prominent gay activists.

A depressed job market prevented Oaks from achieving a tenured faculty position, so in 1978, he moved to San Francisco and soon changed careers to data processing and banking. At the beginning of 1992, he retired and now devotes much of his time to historical research and writing, though his interests now are primarily the histories of San Francisco and Hawai'i. Since retirement he has published articles on 19th century San Francisco in historical journals and a book on the history of the Big Island of Hawai'i.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Robert Oaks, August 2004.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into three series: Series 1. Correspondence; Series 2. Subject Files and Ephemera; and Series 3. Publications.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

Copyright and literary rights for Oaks's published and unpublished works are retained by Robert Oaks.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Roberts Oaks Papers (GLC 56), Gay and Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website