View XML QR Code

Edmund Freeman papers, 1889-2003 (bulk 1930-1976)

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Freeman, Edmund Laws, 1893-1976
Title
Edmund Freeman papers
Dates
1889-2003 (bulk 1930-1976) (inclusive)
Quantity
30.0 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 830
Summary
Edmund Freeman was a professor of English at the University of Montana-Missoula from 1919 until his retirement in 1962. This collection includes: his professional and personal correspondence; personal journals; research files and drafts for his many writing projects in various stages of completion including articles and letters to newspapers; an intended history of the University of Montana; and a history of the American Federation of Teachers.
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. Folders containing student papers, grades, and personal information were placed in restricted access boxes, please see the archivist for details.

Languages
English.
Return to Top

Biographical Note

Edmund Laws Freeman was born on May 10, 1893 in Cameron, Missouri to Harry and Fannie Freeman. The second oldest of the Freeman children, he joined his sister Helen and was followed by Walter, Mildred, and Evelyn (Hallie). In 1915, he received his A.B. in English and mathematics from Missouri Wesleyan College. He studied British literature at Northwestern University and received his M.A. in 1917. During World War I, Freeman travelled to England and Ireland to serve with the British Y.M.C.A. Upon his return to the United States in 1918, he served in the U.S. Naval Air Service and then joined the faculty of Montana State University in Missoula in 1919. He studied at the University of London's King's College from 1922 to 1923. Freeman married Northwestern University graduate Mary Beazell in 1923, while still in London. The couple would have two children, Patricia and David.

Freeman focused mainly on nineteenth century British literature in his own studies, but in teaching for the English Department he often had to branch out into other periods and coached debate his first few years at the University. He maintained an interest in composition and continued to teach the course up until his retirement. An active faculty member, Freeman served with the High School Debate League, the University of Montana chapter of the American Association of University Professors, the University of Montana chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, the Public Exercises Committee, the Budget and Policy Committee, Appointments and Promotions, the Rhodes Scholarship Committee, and the President’s Advisory Council on University Goals.

Freeman’s early writing work often dealt with classic British authors, nineteenth century conceptions of war, or Francis Bacon and his influence on British literature. He was also a frequent contributor to the University of Montana’s student newspaper, the Kaimin. Following his retirement, he began writing more columns and letters for Missoula area newspapers, including the Missoula daily paper the Missoulian, the independently operated People’s Voice, and the Kaimin, concerning social and political issues. The University of Montana awarded Edmund Freeman an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in June 1975 to recognize his service to scholarship and teaching during his forty years as a professor. Freeman passed away on November 23, 1976 while on his way to moderate a radio discussion on socialism.

Return to Top

Content Description

This collection is primarily Edmund Freeman’s personal papers relating to the University of Montana and his many writing projects, along with a comprehensive group of personal journals. Intellectual life of mid-century Montana is well represented through Freeman’s correspondence, articles, educational interests, journal entries, and activities with the American Federation of Teachers. Newspaper clippings concerning various topics in his research files indicate the kinds of issues he wrote about as well as the many drafts of articles and letters included in the collection. There are typed and handwritten notes on assorted topics; they are often article or book fragments, quotes, Freeman’s own thoughts, or any combination of the three. Aside from issues relating directly to the University and its students, he placed particular importance on civil rights and war research. He kept notebooks on many of his research topics, particularly on major figures in British literature and University of Montana history. Freeman retained papers and essays from others that he considered useful for his research; many were student papers, but he also kept papers by his colleagues and friends. He found special interest in American activities in Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s and the resulting student unrest at the University of Montana and universities around the country. He collected numerous articles and essays on the war and student protests. A staunch defender of student and employee rights, Freeman used letters to the editor in the student newspaper as a forum for discussing free speech and civil liberties. He was particularly active during perceived acts of censorship by the George Finlay Simmons administration in the late 1930s, which involved the firing of librarian Philip Keeney who would appeal to the American Federation of Teachers for assistance.

There is a great deal of ephemera regarding the English Department and its operation. Freeman maintained correspondence with many notable figures in early University of Montana history including H.G. Merriam, Earnest Melby, Leslie Fiedler, and Mike Mansfield. Freeman’s intention of writing “The Book,” a history of the early years of Montana State University and in many ways his autobiography, is well represented in his research files. He kept specific files and took notes on different people and incidents that were important to the history of the University and kept materials from his years of teaching to aid in his research. Upon the death of his friend, retired botany professor Joseph “Smoky Joe” Kramer, Freeman received one of Kramer’s binders of writings and notes which he retained with his own files. Kramer was a professor at the University of Montana-Missoula from 1930 until his retirement in 1960.

Freeman was also working on a project with several others to write a history of the American Federation of Teachers, a group with which he was very involved when it established a chapter at the University in 1937. There are several folders of materials strictly devoted to his research and activity for the organization. Freeman was an accomplished public speaker and his personal papers reflect the numerous subjects on which he lectured. He was often called upon to speak on political ideologies and social issues. There is also a single box of personal artifacts and a small collection of personal photographs.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright transferred to the University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

Edmund Freeman Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is divided into eight series:

Series I: Personal, 4.0 linear feet, 1907-2003

Series II: Correspondence, 3.3 linear feet, 1901-1976

Series III: University of Montana, 8.5 linear feet, 1889-1995

Subseries 1. Operations, Publications, and Student Activities, 5.0 linear feet, 1895-1995

Subseries 2. People, 3.5 linear feet, 1889-1980

Series IV: Writings and Speeches, 4.0 linear feet, 1912-1985

Series V: Subject Files, 8.5 linear feet, 1919-1976

Series VI: Restricted, 1.0 linear feet, 1921-1976

Series VII: Photographs, 0.3 linear feet, 1948-1970

Series VIII: Artifacts, 0.4 linear feet, 1922 and undated

Custodial History

Following Edmund Freeman’s death his family retained possession of his papers. The collection arrived at the Archives in six different accessions as gifts from his daughter, Patricia Dunkum, in 1979, 1983, 1985, 1992, and 2014.

Future Additions

There are no expected additions to this collection.

Processing Note

The creator’s original order was maintained wherever possible, many folders retain their original titles. Series determinations followed logical groupings according to the creator’s areas of interest and intended article, chapter, or topic titles. Folders within series were arranged in either alphabetical or chronological order; however, many documents were handwritten notes on research topics and lacked dates and titles. All handwritten and typed notes not grouped with other research material by the creator, were placed in folders marked “Miscellaneous Notes.” During processing, duplicates, miscellaneous clippings, and easily accessible newspapers were removed from the collection.

Also during processing, Joe Kramer’s papers were removed from a binder that Edmund Freeman received following Kramer’s death. The original order of the Kramer papers was maintained with photographs being moved to a separate folder. Freeman had combined materials from his own papers, mostly correspondence with Kramer, with the binder’s content. Students' papers and letters of personal nature were moved to a restricted file to maintain the privacy of individuals.

Freeman's personal journals and correspondence with family members, most prevalent being his mother and sister, were received in a later accession and added to existing series in 2015.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Civil rights.
  • College teachers--Montana--Missoula.
  • English literature--Study and teaching (Higher)--Montana--Missoula.
  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975.

Personal Names

  • Freeman, Edmund Laws, 1893-1976--Archives.
  • Kramer, Joseph, 1888-1971.

Corporate Names

  • American Federation of Teachers.
  • University of Montana--Missoula.--Department of English.
  • University of Montana--Missoula.--Faculty.

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Intellectual life--20th century.

Finding aid prepared by Kellyn Younggren
2013

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

Loading...
Loading...