Finding aid for the Rockwell D. Hunt papers 5127

Finding aid prepared by Michael Q. Hooks and Carly Rustebakke
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu


Title: Rockwell D. Hunt papers
Collection number: 5127
Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 0.84 Linear feet 2 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1898-1966
Abstract: The Rockwell D. Hunt papers, 1898-1966, contain an assortment of files partially documenting the career of Hunt at the University of Southern California (1908-1945). During his tenure at USC, Hunt was a professor of economics, the first Dean of the College of Commerce and Business Administration, and the first Dean of the Graduate School.
creator: Hunt, Rockwell Dennis, 1868-

Scope and Content

The Rockwell D. Hunt papers contain of an assortment of files partially documenting the career of Hunt at the University of Southern California (1908-1945). The files include copies of Hunt's writings and writings about him, some of his correspondence and addresses, articles about his retirement from USC in 1945, information about the USC Semicentennial Celebration in 1930, and the dedication of Hoose Hall in the Bovard Administration Building. The collection consists of addresses, clippings, correspondence, programs, and publications.

Arrangement

The assorted folders are arranged by titles as they were found in the two original boxes.

Biographical note

Rockwell Dennis Hunt was born in Sacramento, CA, in February 1868. He earned a B.A. from Napa College in 1890, which not long after became a part of the University of the Pacific. He then earned his Ph.D. in history from Johns Hopkins University in 1895. Hunt's academic career was spent both in secondary education and higher education. He taught history and economics at the University of the Pacific (1895-1902), followed by a position as principal of San Jose High School in San Jose, CA. He then taught economics at the University of Southern California (USC) beginning in 1908. During his tenure at USC, Hunt helped organize the College of Commerce and Business Administration in 1920 and was appointed Dean of the College, serving in that position until 1924. He was named Dean of the Graduate School in 1920, and subsequently Director of the School of Research (1933-1945). In addition to his teaching and administrative duties, Hunt was selected as chairman of the USC Semicentennial celebration in 1930. Hunt retired from USC in 1945. Following his retirement from USC, Hunt moved back to Northern California to teach history at the University of the Pacific in 1946, and to be Director of the California History Foundation. He subsequently retired again in 1954. Hunt was a prolific author. He wrote seventeen books, including his autobiography ( "Mr. California": Autobiography of Rockwell D. Hunt) and a history of USC ( The First Half-Century). In addition, he authored 169 articles on California history and other topics in professional journals, newspapers, and magazines. Due to this volume of work on California history, California Governor Goodwin Knight named Hunt "Mr. California" in 1954, the first person to be so recognized. Hunt passed away in January 1966.

Related Archival Materials

See:
1. Rockwell Dennis Hunt Papers, 1887-1966, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. 2. Pacific Geographic Society Records, 1927-1940, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder# or item name], Rockwell D. Hunt papers, Collection no. 5127, University Archives, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Conditions Governing Access

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

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Bovard, George Finley -- Archives
Hoose Library of Philosophy . -- Archives
Hoose, James H., (James Harmon), 1835-1915 -- Archives
Hunt, Rockwell Dennis, 1868- -- Archives
University of Southern California. Graduate School. -- Archives
University of Southern California. -- Archives
University of Southern California. -- Faculty
California--History--Archival resources
Clippings
Correspondence
Programs
Publications
Speeches, addresses, etc., American--20th century--Archival resources

Box 1, Folder 1

California and World War I 1917-1932

Scope and Content

The folder contains miscellaneous items related to activities in California in support of Workd War I.
Box 1, Folder 2

Hunt's Publications 1945-1959

Scope and Content

The folder contains:
Ten Commandments: A greeting from Rockwell D. Hunt gleaned from his various writings over the years, Stockton, California, 1958-1959.
Advertisement for "Mr. California": Autobiography of Rockwell D. Hunt [1956]
"S.C at a Milestone," Los Angeles Times, January 21, 1945
"Angel's Camp: In the Heart of the Mother Lode -- The Makin's of Mark Twain," The Grizzly Bear,
Box 1, Folder 3

Clippings on Hunt 1938-1966

Scope and Content

The folder contains newpaper clippings on Rockwell D. Hunt's activities during his tenure at USC. The clippings include a brief obituary of Hunt that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, January 25, 1966.
Box 1, Folder 4

Other Tributes to Hunt 1939-1966

Scope and Content

The folder contains several items related to USC, including a copy of a "Senate Resolution Relative to the Passing of Rockwell Dennis Hunt," dated February 8, 1966, and solicitation for funding a portrait of Hunt that was presented to USC on October 31, 1939.
Box 1, Folder 5

"Ninety-Five Theses for These Times," Rockwell D. Hunt 1942

Box 1, Folder 6

Hunt's Correspondence and Addresses 1920-1954

Box 1, Folder 7

Hoose Hall, J.H. Hoose 1914-1921

Newspapers

The following issues of The Daily Southern Californian , the early USC student newspaper, contained in this folder were removed and transferred to the Daily Trojan collection in the University Archives:
"Hoose Hall of Philosophy to House Many Departments," December 11, 1914, vol. V, no. 45, p. 1 "Hoose Hall Fund," January 22, 1915, vol. V, no. 53, p. 2 "Wheels of University Stopped as Faculties and Students Pay Homage to Grand Old Philosopher," January 26, 1915, vol. V, no. 54, p.1
These issues are also available on-line in the USC Digital Library.

Scope and Content

Included in the folder is an exchange of correspondence between Hunt and Helen Hoose, widow of James Harmon Hooser, pertaining to the dedication of Hoose Hall, located in the newly built Bovard Administration Building.
Box 1, Folder 8

Publications by Others 1898-1958

Newspapers

The following issues of Daily Trojan, the USC student newspaper, were removed and placed in the Daily Trojan collection in the University Archives:
"Dean R.D. Hunt to Retire: Dr. Bogardus chosen to fill Graduate post" and "Hunt reviews growth of SC to present day," July 19, 1945, vol. XXXVI, no. 160, p. 1, 4
"Tea to honor retiring dean," August 14, 1945, vol. XXXVI, no. 178, p. 1
"Tea, reception fete Dean Hunt on retirement," August 16, 1945, vol. XXXVI, no. 179, p. 1
To see these issues are available on-line in the USC Digital Library or contact the University Archivist.
Box 1, Folder 9

1945 Letters 1945

Scope and Content

The letters relate to Hunt's retirement from USC in 1945.
Box 1, Folder 10

USC 1908-1960

Scope and Content

The folder contains correspondence related primarily to Hunt's tenure at USC, but also after Hunt's retirement in 1945.
Box 1, Folder 11

R. D. H. Retires 1941-1947

Box 2, Folder 1-2

USC Semicentennial 1906-1945

Newspapers

The following issues of the Daily Trojan, the USC student newspaper, were removed from follder #2 in the collection and placed in the Daily Trojan collection in the University Archives:
Semicentennial Edition, May 29, 1930, vol. XXI, no. 149
Graduate School 25th Anniversary Edition, January 26, 1945, vol. XXXVI, no. 55
To see these issues, go to the USC Digital Library or contact the University Archivist.
Box 2, Folder 3

USC and World War II 1930-1953

Box 2, Folder 4

USC Letters 1908 - Bowen, Bovard, et. al. 1907-1962

Newspapers

The following issues of the Daily Trojan, the USC student newspaper, were removed from the collection and placed in the Daily Trojan collection in the University Archives:
"U.S.C Will Honor Founders At Bovard Assembly Today," October 4, 1937, vol. XXIX, no. 12, p. 1, 4
Founders Day Issue, October 5, 1949, vol. XLI, no. 19
To see these issues, go to the USC Digital Library or contact the University Archivist.

Scope and Content

The folder primarily contains correspondence between Rockwell D. Hunt and William M. Bowen, USC Board of Trustees, and Rockwell D. Hunt and George F. Bovard, USC President, regarding employment with USC in 1908. In addition, there are some miscellaneous letters, as well as material pertaining to USC.
Box 2, Folder 5-6

Clippings by Hunt 1909-1956

Scope and Content

The folders contains clippings of articles and columns written by Rockwell D. Hunt and primarily published in the Los Angeles Times.