Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Edward Earl Bennett Papers, 1900-1970
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Bennett, Edward Earl, 1892-1970
- Title
- Edward Earl Bennett Papers
- Dates
- 1900-1970 (inclusive)19001970
- Quantity
- 5.0 linear feet, (9 boxes and one oversize box)
- Collection Number
- Mss 493
- Summary
- Edward E. Bennett was a history professor at the University of Montana. The collection contains his personal and professional papers and documents his education, early career, teaching at the University, and community activities. It also contains a few materials related to his wife.
- Repository
-
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for creating this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Edward Earl Bennett was born October 29, 1892 in Stafford, Kansas. He received a B.A. from the University of Kansas in 1916, and an M.A. (1923) and Ph.D (1925) from the University of Wisconsin. For five years he taught political science and history in Sterling, Kansas, high school; he was then principal of high schools in St. John and Hutchinson, Kansas. From 1922 to 1924 he was an assistant in history at the University of Wisconsin, specializing in American colonial history, but also worked on the history of the western United States. While a fellow at the Wisconsin Historical Society, he prepared a calendar of the Draper collection. In 1928, he did research at the Pennsylvania Historical Society library on Parliament in the American colonies.
He came to the University of Montana as an instructor in 1925 and retired as a professor in 1961 due to poor health. He taught both American and European history and for many years taught courses in Montana history and government. After retirement, he contined to teach U.S. history through the university's correpondence course program. His publications included The Congregational Church in Missoula, 1891-1966; a chronological sketch, prepared for the congregation's seventy-fifth anniversary; and One hundred years of Masonic history, 1868-1968. He also wrote and regularly updated the article on the state of Montana for the Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the Year. He was a member of the American and Wisconsin Historical Societies, Phi Delta Kappa national education fraternity, Theta Chi social fraternity, Kiwanis, and the University Congregational Church. He was a master of Missoula Masonic Lodge 13. He also collected maps.
In 1921, he was married to Linda McCoy, a 1915 graduate of the Colorado College who taught in high schools before coming to Montana. They had one son, Hal. Bennett died June 16, 1970.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains Bennett's personal and professional papers and documents his education, early career, teaching at the University, and community activities. It also contains a few materials related to his wife, Linda M. Bennett. The collection includes Bennett's diaries, which offer close detail about his later years; correspondence, which includes personal exchanges and those related to his university service; research and writing, from his graduate work through later productions; and materials related to his teaching duties. There are many resources related to his service to the Theta Chi fraternity at Montana State University (The University of Montana), the University Congregational Church, and the Missoula Masonic Lodge No. 13. Materials from Mrs. Bennett relate to community activities and her education. There are also photographs of Dr. Bennett and of prominent Missoulians.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], Edward Earl Bennett Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in nine series:
Series I: Biographical/Personal, 4 folders, and 1 oversize box, 1916-1969
Series II: Diaries, 1.0 linear foot, 1907-1970
Series III: Correspondence, 4 folders, 1902-1969
Series IV: Research and Writings, 0.5 linear feet, 1923-1952
Series V: University of Montana, 0.75 linear feet, 1921-1966
Series VI: Clippings, 0.25 linear feet, 1921-1969
Series VII: Community Activities, 0.75 linear feet, 1920-1969
Series VIII: Linda M. Bennett, 3 folders and oversize, 1915-1947
Series IX: Photographs, 10 items, circa 1920s
Series X: Florence M. Johnson, 1 item, 1900-1904
Acquisition Information
Date and source of acquisition unknown.
Processing Note
The original processors separated some materials from the collection, arranged it, numbered the collection UM 11, and produced a finding aid. In 2004, the collection was renumbered Mss 493, substantially rearranged and fully described. Two boxes of gradebooks were removed from the collection and destroyed.
Separated Materials
During original processing the following materials were separated: 1939 yearbook, Billings Polytechnic Insitutute; dance programs; post cards; and badges. Nine photographs were separated to the photograph collection, and two tokens were transferred to the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Biographical/Personal, 1916-1969Return to Top
This series contains Bennett's personal financial, school, and legal records, which document primarily his school and teaching career. There are materials from both his time teaching high school and that at Montana State University (The University of Montana).
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | School records |
1920-1925 |
1/2 | State income taxes |
1933-1960 |
1/3 | Teaching contracts |
1917-1944 |
1/4 | Certificates |
1916-1969 |
10OS | Certificates |
1916-1925 |
Series II: Diaries, 1907-1970Return to Top
This series contains diaries that Bennett kept quite regularly throughout his life, beginning when he was fifteen years old and ending two days before his death. The earliest diary contains mostly quotations and notes relating to school work. Later diaries contain brief notes on daily events, expenses, and addresses of friends and family. Beginning with the 1954 volume, the entries become daily and offer considerable detail of his daily life, including bills, travels, medical appointments, and visitors.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/5 | Diaries |
1907, 1938 |
1/6 | Diaries |
1939 |
1/7 | Diaries |
1940 |
1/8 | Diaries |
1941 |
1/9 | Diaries |
1942 |
1/10 | Diaries |
1943 |
1/11 | Diaries |
1944 |
1/12 | Diaries |
1945 |
1/13 | Diaries |
1946 |
1/14 | Diaries |
1947 |
1/15 | Diaries |
1948 |
1/16 | Diaries |
1949 |
1/17 | Diaries |
1950 |
1/18 | Diaries |
1951 |
1/19 | Diaries |
1952 |
1/20 | Diaries |
1953 |
1/21 | Diaries |
1954 |
2/1 | Diaries |
1955 |
2/2 | Diaries |
1956 |
2/3 | Diaries |
1957 |
2/4 | Diaries |
1958 |
2/5 | Diaries |
1959 |
2/6 | Diaries |
1960 |
2/7 | Diaries |
1961 |
2/8 | Diaries |
1962 |
2/9 | Diaries |
1963-1964 |
2/10 | Diaries |
1965 |
2/11 | Diaries |
1954-1957 |
2/12 | Diaries |
1959-1962 |
3/1 | Diaries |
1963-1966 |
3/2 | Diaries |
1967-1970 |
Series III: Correspondence, 1902-1969Return to Top
This series contains Bennett's personal and professional correspondence. The earliest letters are to his wife-to-be, Linda McCoy; they carried on a consistent correspondence both before and during their marriage. There are also numerous exchanges concerning his employment as a high school teacher. Later exchanges focus on his service at Montana State University (The University of Montana), publications, and various aspects of his community service.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
3/3 | Correspondence |
1902-1926 |
3/4 | Correspondence |
1926-1939 |
3/5 | Correspondence |
1934-1958 |
3/6 | Correspondence |
1958-1969 |
Series IV: Research and Writings, 1923-1952Return to Top
This series contains Bennett's research and writings, beginning with his 1923 M.A. thesis, his 1925 Ph.D thesis, his 1928 Draper fellowship work, and continuing with his book reviews and work for the World Book Encyclopedia. It also contains materials that were apparently used for his research on the early history of Montana and the West, and materials for his work for Historical Abstracts.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Research |
undated | |
Box/Folder | ||
4/1 | Diary of Mrs. F.L. Ainsworth |
undated |
4/2 | Diary of Nellie G. Fletcher |
undated |
4/3 | Pioneer Lumbering in Montana
A.M. Holter
|
undated |
Subseries 2: Writings |
1923-1952 | |
Box/Folder | ||
4/4 | "Parliament and the English African Companies,
1663-1713" |
[1928] |
4/5 | "Parliament and the English African Companies,
1663-1713" |
[1928] |
4/6 | "The Story of Montana,"
World Book Encyclopedia
|
undated |
4/7 |
Parliamentery Legislation and the American
Colonies, M.A. thesis |
1923 |
4/8 |
Parliament and the Colonies to 1715, Ph.D
thesis, draft 1 |
[1924-1925] |
4/9 |
Parliament and the Colonies to 1715, Ph.D
thesis, draft 2 |
[1924-1925] |
4/10 |
Parliament and the Colonies to 1715, Ph.D
thesis, draft 3 |
[1924-1925] |
4/11 |
Parliament and the Colonies to 1715, Ph.D
thesis, final draft |
1925 |
4/12 | Book reviews |
1940-1952 |
4/13 | Historical Abstracts |
1929-1930 |
Series V: University of Montana, 1921-1966Return to Top
This series contains the bulk of Bennett's papers that relate to his service to Montana State University (The University of Montana). It is divided into three subseries: Committees, Teaching, and Theta Chi, Beta Epsilon Chapter.
The Committees subseries contains materials on Bennett's involvement campus and associated committees. The most substantial materals relate to the Montana School of Religion and efforts to establish a department of religious studies on campus in the 1950s. A series of reports on grades across the university contains warnings from administrators on grade inflation in the 1920s through 1940s.
The Teaching subseries contains mostly student papers and lecture notes from courses that Bennett taught in Montana history and government, Candian history, and U.S. history. There are also sustantial mateirals from the correspondence courses in U.S. history that Bennett taught through the university's correspondence courses after his retirement.
The Theta Chi, Beta Epsilon Chapter subseries contains materials that relate to Bennett's long involvement with this Montana State University (University of Montana) social fraternity. He served on the fraternity's board of directors, and there are many materials relating to the group's efforts to secure a house in Missoula's University District neighborhood. Bennett's Masonic ties were in play here as well. There are also materials from Theta Chi's predecessor, Delta Sigma Lamda, Theta chapter.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Committees |
1925-1966 | |
Box/Folder | ||
5/2 | Alumni Association |
1961-1965 |
5/3 | Century Club |
1960-1966 |
5/4 | Committee on Names for Campus Buildings |
1952-1953 |
5/5 | Friends of the Library |
1964-1965 |
5/6 | Montana Teachers Retirement System |
1939-1941 |
5/7 | Montana School of Religion |
1957-1961 |
5/8 | Faculty newsletters |
1963 |
5/9 | University pamphets |
undated |
5/10 | Distribution of grades by department |
1925-1947 |
5/11 | Faculty publication lists |
1952-1959 |
Subseries 2: Teaching |
1941-1961 | |
Box/Folder | ||
5/12 | Exams |
1960-1961 |
5/13 | Term papers for Canadian history |
undated |
5/14 | "Saleesh House"
[M. Catherine White?]
|
undated |
5/15 | "History of Bitterroot Valley"
Marjorie Reynolds
|
undated |
5/16 | U.S. History correspondence course |
undated |
5/17 | U.S. History correspondence course |
undated |
6/1 | Canadian history |
undated |
6/2 | Montana history and government |
1941 |
6/3 | Montana history and government |
1941 |
6/4 | U.S. History: Civil Rights and Segregation |
ca. 1957 |
6/5 | Phi Alpha Theta paper, "The New Verendrye
Theory"
John W. Smurr
|
undated |
Subseries 3: Theta Chi, Beta Epsilon
Chapter |
1921-1964 | |
Box/Folder | ||
6/6 | Correspondence |
1937-1938 |
6/7 | Correspondence |
1937-1945 |
6/8 | Financial records |
1937-1938 |
6/9 | Financial records |
1938-1942 |
7/1 | Legal documents |
1931-1940 |
7/2 | Membership lists |
1938-1964 |
7/3 | "Pine Cone," Montana State University (The University
of Montana) Beta Epsilon newsletter |
1945-1967 |
7/4 | Articles of incorporation |
undated |
7/5 | Theta Chi Bulletin |
1938-1939 |
7/6 | The Rattle of Theta Chi |
1956-1960 |
7/7 | Delta Sigma Lamda, Theta chapter |
1921-1928 |
7/8 | Certificates |
1937-1962 |
Series VI: Clippings, 1921-1969Return to Top
This series contains newspaper clippings that Bennett collected. There is one file that relates to the McCoy-Bennett wedding, but the others focus mostly on events at Montana State University (The University of Montana), especially the turbulent events of the 1930s and 1940s.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
7/9 | McCoy-Bennett wedding |
1921 |
7/10 | Phillip Keeney case |
1935-1937 |
7/11 | Paul Phillips case |
1937-1940 |
7/12 | Simmons case |
1939-1941 |
7/13 | Borden case |
1963 |
7/14 | Blouin case |
1969 |
7/15 | University of Montana
history |
undated |
7/16 | Miscellaneous
University/Missoula/Montana |
undated |
7/17 | University of Montana
faculty |
undated |
Series VII: Community Activities, 1920-1969Return to Top
This series contains materials related to Bennett's community and other non-University activities. It is divided into two subseries.
Subseries 1, General, contains a wide range of materials, including the Missoula County Republican Club, Kiwanis, and the Missoula Rose Society. There are a number of papers from a community group interested in early Monatana history.
Subseries 2, Missoula Masonic Lodge No. 13, documents Bennett's long involvement with the Masons. It includes a considerable number of files relating to his 100-year history of the Masons, as well as other materials related to Lodge activities in which he was involved.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: General |
1920-1969 | |
Box/Folder | ||
8/1 | Alumni Association, University of Kansas |
1952-1962 |
8/2 | Author's Club |
1946-1947 |
8/3 | Committee for Paradise Dam |
1962 |
8/4 | Kiwanis Club of Montana |
1956-1966 |
8/5 | Missoula County Republican Club |
1936-1966 |
8/6 | Missoula Library Board |
1962-1963 |
8/7 | Missoula History |
undated |
8/8 | Papers from Early Montana History Study
Group |
undated |
8/9 | Missoula Rose Society |
1947 |
8/10 | National Geographic Society |
1920-1963 |
8/11 | Phi Delta Kappa, correspondence |
1926-1930 |
8/12 | Phi Delta Kappa, membership |
1929 |
8/13 | United Givers |
1965 |
8/14 | University Congregational Church |
1955-1969 |
8/15 | Montana Historical Society |
1954-1964 |
Subseries 2: Missoula Masonic Lodge No.
13 |
1944-1968 | |
Box/Folder | ||
8/16 |
One hundred years of Masonic history, 1868-1968,
part 1 |
[1968] |
8/17 |
One hundred years of Masonic history, 1868-1968,
part 2 |
[1968] |
8/18 |
One hundred years of Masonic history, 1868-1968,
part 3 |
[1968] |
8/19 |
One hundred years of Masonic history, 1868-1968,
part 4 |
[1968] |
8/20 |
One hundred years of Masonic history, 1868-1968,
original copy |
[1968] |
8/21 |
One hundred years of Masonic history, 1868-1968,
data first 50 years |
[1968] |
9/1 | Correspondence |
1944-1968 |
9/2 | Notices of meetings |
undated |
9/3 | Membership list |
1963 |
9/4 | Correspondence with George Washington
University |
1958-1964 |
9/5 | Education and research committee |
1951-1959 |
9/6 | DeMolay |
1946-1947 |
9/7 | Communication of 20th Degree of Masonry |
undated |
9/8 | Miscellaneous |
undated |
9/9 | Miscellaneous |
undated |
9/10 | Clippings (deaths of members) |
1945-1951 |
Series VIII: Linda M. Bennett, 1915-1947Return to Top
This series contains mateirals relating to Linda M. Bennett that document her education and activitiy in Missoula organizations.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
9/11 | Missoula Branch, Homemakers
Department of the National Home Economics Association, minutes |
1942 |
9/12 | American Association of
University Women |
1947 |
9/13 | Certificates |
1916-1942 |
10OS | Certificates |
1915 |
Series IX: Photographs, [circa 1920s] Return to Top
This series contains one photograph that includes Bennett, and a group of portraits of prominent early Missoulians.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
9/14 | 493(IX):1: [Group that includes Clarence
Bennett] |
[ca. 1920s] |
9/14 | 95-47 : J.B. Buker, Missoula,
Montana |
undated |
9/14 | 95-48 : T.M. Pomeroy, Missoula,
Montana |
undated |
9/14 | 95-49 : John Anderson, Missoula, Montana
|
undated |
9/14 | 95-50 : Harry A. Lowe, Missoula, Montana
|
undated |
9/14 | 95-51: Christopher P. Higgins, Missoula,
Montana |
undated |
9/14 | 95-52: E.W. Spottswood, Missoula,
Montana |
undated |
9/14 | 95-53: Frank H. Woody, Missoula, Montana
|
undated |
9/14 | 95-54: Joseph M. Dixon, Missoula,
Montana |
undated |
9/14 | 95-55 : F.C. Webster, Missoula,
Montana |
undated |
9/14 | 95-56: 95-56 George T. Slack, Missoula,
Montana |
undated |
Series X: Florence M. Johnson, 1900-1904Return to Top
This series contains a diary by Florence M. Johnson. Her connection to the Bennett family is not documented.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
9/15 | Diary |
1900-1904 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Congregational churches--Montana--Missoula
- Freemasonry--Montana--Missoula--History
- Greek letter societies--Montana--Missoula
- History--Study and teaching--Montana--Missoula
Corporate Names
- Freemasons--Montana--Missoula--History
- Freemasons. Missoula Lodge No. 13 (Missoula, Mont.)
- Theta Chi. Beta Epsilon Chapter (University of Montana)
- United Church of Christ--Montana--Missoula
- University Congregational Church (Missoula, Mont.)
- University of Montana--Missoula--Faculty
Geographical Names
- Missoula (Mont.)--Church history
- Missoula (Mont.)--Religious life and customs
Form or Genre Terms
- Diaries--Montana--Missoula
- Personal papers--Montana -- Missoula
- Photographs--Montana--Missoula
Occupations
- College teachers--Montana--Missoula
- History teachers--Montana--Missoula
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Bennett, Linda M.