James H. Barnett Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1997-0014

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection contains publications, speeches, notes, correspondence, articles, awards and photographs relating to Dr. Barnett's many activities.

Dates

undated, 1907-1993

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

James Harwood Barnett was born in Owensboro, KY, on 9 October 1906. He attended Lindsey Wilson Junior College and Berea College, obtaining his A.B. degree in 1928. He was awarded a M.A. in 1930 from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in 1939. He was a Harrison Fellow in Sociology at the University from 1933 until 1935.

Barnett was employed by the University of Connecticut in 1935 as an instructor in Sociology. He specialized in the history of social thought and the sociology of art and literature. He attained full professorship in 1948 as was head of the Sociology Department from 1948 until 1962. Barnett directed the Honor's Program from 1967 until his retirement in 1970. While at the University, Barnett served on numerous committees, including one which resulted in the establishment of the School of Social Work in 1946. He was a member of the University Senate for almost thirty years and was consistently reelected by his colleagues to the Senate Committee of Three, the guardian of academic tenure.

A prolific author, Barnett has over thirty publications, including The American Christmas, a study in national culture published in 1954 and numerous biographies of campus notables, such as Walter Stemmons, Professor I. G. Davis and former President Charles Beach. Barnett saw the purpose of these biographies as portraying “the unique value or contribution each made to his world as he knew it.”

Apart from his scholastic duties, Barnett participated in many civic activities. In 1943, he worked for the War Relocation Authority as a community analyst at a Japanese relocation camp in Gila, Arizona. While on leave from the University from 1963 to 1965, he served as executive secretary to the Small Grants Committee of the National Institute of Mental Health. On the state level, Barnett was a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Prison Association and the Board of Directors of Connecticut Children's Services. Locally, Barnett served on the Storrs Board of Education and was a member of the original Mansfield Town Council and a Justice of the Peace.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

James Harwood Barnett was born in Owensboro, KY, on 9 October 1906. Barnett was employed by the University of Connecticut in 1935 as an instructor in Sociology. He specialized in the history of social thought and the sociology of art and literature. He attained full professorship in 1948 and was head of the Sociology Department from 1948 until 1962. Barnett directed the Honor's Program from 1967 until his retirement in 1970. A prolific author, Barnett has over thirty publications, including The American Christmas, a study in national culture published in 1954 and numerous biographies of campus notables.

Arrangement

Series I: Writings (undated, 1907-1989) comprises the bulk of the collection and is arranged into three subseries: Publications, Unpublished speeches and papers, and Research Notes. Publications includes journal articles and reprints. Unpublished materials include eulogies and speeches commemorating various Storrs' personalities. Research notes contains handwritten notes, related publications, printed material and manuscript drafts.

Series II: Personal papers (undated, 1928-1993) contains awards and degrees received by Dr. Barnett, biographical clippings, notes, family photographs and private correspondence. The University of Connecticut subseries documents Barnett's activities while at the University including subject files regarding campus unrest in the late 1960s and the I. G. Davis Memorial Fund.

Acquisition Information

Dr. Barnett began donating his materials to the Special Collections Department of the University of Connecticut Libraries following his retirement in 1970. These materials were transferred to the Historical Manuscripts and Archives Division in 1980. Additional papers were incorporated into the collection at various times since 1980. The Cynthia Snow letters were added in 1989.

Existence and Location of Copies

Portions of this collection have been digitized and digital reproductions of materials in this collection may also be found in the Archives & Special Collections digital repository