Rufus A. Blanshard Papers

Collection

Identifier: 2007-0069

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection contains the administrative records, manuscripts, correspondence, clippings, publications, notes, transcripts, and financial records of Rufus A. Blanshard. Materials in the collection contain subjects to include the Civil Rights Movement, race relations, racism at UConn, and the Vietnam War.Ther are also materials related to Connecticut Supreme Court case Sheff v. O'Neill, the Committee Against Racism (CAR), and the University of Connecticut's English Department. The collection contains materials from 1960 to 2004.

Dates

1960-2004

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

Rufus A. Blanshard, born in 1922 in Rochester, N.Y., was a professor of English at the University of Connecticut. Educated at Swarthmore College, Blanshard received a bachelor's degree in 1943. He served in World War II following college, and attended Harvard University after the war earning a Ph.D. in 1951.

After Harvard, Blanshard studied at the University of London on a Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship from 1951 to 1952, was a Fulbright teaching fellow in Zagreb, Croatia, from 1968 to 1969, and was a Fulbright teaching fellow in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 1975 to 1976. Blanshard first became an instructor in English at the University of Wisconsin from 1952 to 1955. In 1955, Blanshard joined the English department at the University of Connecticut, where he specialized in 17th and 18th century English literature as well as African-American and Caribbean literature. Blanshard was a member of the "Inner College," an alternative to the standard classroom curriculum in the 1970s; the American Federation of Teachers; and the Committee Against Racism. In addition to his work as a professor, Blanshard was a violinist who played with the Manchester and Willimantic orchestras. Blanshard also led a book discussion group at the Mansfield Senior Center; volunteered at the Donald T. Bergin Correctional Institution in Mansfield and the Center for Learning in Retirement; and was a driver for Meals on Wheels.

Blanshard retired in 1981 but stayed on at the University of Connecticut as an emeritus professor of English until his death on March 20, 2007.

Extent

3.9 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Rufus A. Blanshard was an Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Connecticut. He was involved with combating racism at the university during the 1970s and 1980s, and was influential in introducing an alternative classroom curriculum to the University. Materials in the collection are comprised of his personal papers, and include documents related to his civil rights work.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to Archives & Special Collections by Jane Blanshard on June 18, 2007.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to the University, its history, administration, faculty, staff and students. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.