Franklin (H. Bruce and Jane) papers, 1923-2018, bulk 1964-2016

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Summary

Title:
H. Bruce and Jane Franklin papers
Dates:
1923-2018, bulk 1964-2016
Creators:
Franklin, H. Bruce and Franklin, Jane, 1934-
Abstract:
This collection documents H. Bruce and Jane Franklin's scholarship and political activism. There are records related to H. Bruce Franklin's firing as a tenured professor from Stanford University, lawsuits concerning that firing and other legal cases involving both H. Bruce and Jane Franklin; their research and writings; audiovisual materials; academic files; personalia; and publications by others – including social movement newspapers and writings by people who were in prison.
Extent:
71.7 linear feet (48 cartons, 3 boxes, 7 flat boxes), 134 audiovisual item(s) (approximately 75 audio cassettes, 41 sound tape reels, 17 videocassettes, 1 film reel), and 39 digital media (8 zip disks, 1 CD, 3 CD-Rs, 27 3.5" floppy disks)
Language:
English , Spanish; Castilian .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], H. Bruce and Jane Franklin papers, BANC MSS 2016/269, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents H. Bruce and Jane Franklin's scholarship and political activism. There are records related to H. Bruce Franklin's firing as a tenured professor from Stanford University, lawsuits concerning that firing and other legal cases involving both H. Bruce and Jane Franklin; their research and writings; audiovisual materials; academic files; personalia; and publications by others – including social movement newspapers and writings by people who were in prison.

The collection is divided into six series: Franklin v. Stanford and Other Legal Cases and Files; Writings and Research; Audiovisual Materials; Academic Files and Personalia; Publications; and Additions. The bulk of materials related to Jane Franklin's scholarship and activism can be found in the additions.

Biographical / historical:

Cultural historian, literary scholar, and political activist H. Bruce Franklin (1934-2024) was fired from his job as an English professor at Stanford University for allegedly inciting a riot during an anti-Vietnam War protest on the campus. His firing brought widespread attention to the issue of academic freedom. Franklin was blacklisted for three years but was hired as professor of English and American Studies at Rutgers University, and taught there from 1975 until his retirement in 2015. His areas of focus included environmentalism, prison literature, science fiction, and the Vietnam War and its aftermath. He and historian and political activist Jane Morgan Franklin (1934-2023) married in 1956. Both were considered leaders in the anti-war movement. Jane Franklin focused on Cuba-United States relations and promoted normalized relations between the two countries. She led educational tours to Cuba and also wrote about Vietnam, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Acquisition information:
The H. Bruce and Jane Franklin papers were given to The Bancroft Library between 2015 and 2024 by H. Bruce Franklin and Karen Franklin
Processing information:

Arranged to the folder and/or container level

Processed by Marjorie Bryer and Jaime Henderson in 2025.

Accruals:

No future additions are expected.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
DACS

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Marjorie Bryer, Jaime Henderson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-03-26 17:38:02 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Cartons cartons 1-48, boxes 1-3, and flat boxes 1-7 are open for research. Born-digital materials are in-process.

AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: RESTRICTED fragile material. Access copies may be requested through Bancroft Public Services.

Terms of access:

Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], H. Bruce and Jane Franklin papers, BANC MSS 2016/269, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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