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Van Til (William) papers
89015  
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  • Access
  • Use
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content of Collection

  • Title: William Van Til papers
    Date (inclusive): 1928-1997
    Collection Number: 89015
    Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 59 manuscript boxes (23.6 Linear Feet)
    Abstract: The William Van Til papers document the career of an important figure in the history of American education in the twentieth century. Identified with the progressive movement of John Dewey and William Heard Kilpatrick, Van Til was an early supporter of racial integration in American schools and a proponent of the use of a multicultural curriculum in the classroom. The bulk of the Van Til papers consist of his speeches and writings, along with correspondence between Van Til and his publishers.
    Creator: Van Til, William
    Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives

    Access

    The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

    Use

    For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Acquisition Information

    Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1989.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], William Van Til papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Biographical Note

    1911 Born, Corona, New York
    1933 Awarded B.A. degree, Columbia College
    1934-1943 Instructor and assistant professor, College of Education, Ohio State University
    1935 Awarded M. A. degree, Columbia University
    1946 Receives doctorate, Ohio State University
    1947-1951 Professor, University of Illinois
    1951-1957 Professor, George Peabody College
    1957-1967 Professor and administrator, New York University
    1961-1962 President, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
    1964-1966 President, John Dewey Society
    1967-1968 President, National Society of College Teachers of Education
    1967-1977 Professor, School of Education, Indiana State University
    2006 Died

    Scope and Content of Collection

    The William Van Til papers document the career of an important figure in the history of American education in the twentieth century. Identified with the progressive movement of John Dewey and William Heard Kilpatrick, Van Til was an early supporter of racial integration in American schools and a proponent of the use of a multicultural curriculum in the classroom. The bulk of the Van Til papers consist of his speeches and writings, along with correspondence between Van Til and his publishers. A prolific author, William Van Til outlined his views on education and society in numerous articles written for academic journals and magazines. Many of these articles are concerned with the response of the American educational system to the challenge of rapid social change, and of how schools address questions of diversity and inclusiveness. An advocate of a holistic approach to education, Van Til thought that the mission of schools included the transmission of democratic values and the preparation of students to participate as citizens in wider society. Van Til's books include ones devoted to secondary education and to the modernization of curriculum in American schools. Another of his books is addressed to writers and offers them advice on how to develop their skills in order to have their work published. Van Til also wrote an extensive autobiography, and drafts of the two editions of this work are part of the collection. Additionally, the papers contain a number of unpublished stories that Van Til wrote in his youth.
    The papers also include materials relating to a number of professional organizations that Van Til belonged to, as well as to writing workshops that he conducted. There are also some studies that Van Til collaborated on, including surveys of school systems in Iran, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Education -- United States
    School integration -- United States
    Teachers -- Training of -- United States