Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1871-2002

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Parrington, Vernon Louis, 1871-1929
Title
Vernon Louis Parrington papers
Dates
1871-2002 (inclusive)
Quantity
19.61 cubic feet (20 boxes plus 2 vertical files and 1 oversize vertical file)
Collection Number
5014
Summary
Papers of a professor of English and early pioneer in American Studies at the University of Washington
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Vernon Louis Parrington was born on August 3, 1871 in Aurora, Illinois before his family moved to Kansas. After beginning his higher education at the University of Emporia, he transferred to Harvard where he finished his degree in 1893 in English. Afterward, he returned to Kansas, to the University of Emporia where he advocated for more English courses. In 1897 he moved to the University of Oklahoma to be an instructor of English and modern languages. Parrington then spent two years between 1902 and 1904 travelling and spending time in libraries around England and France. Upon his return to Oklahoma, Parrington is credited with establishing the English department and also lectured in French. He also became the first paid football coach at the University of Oklahoma. After a newly elected group of legislators entered the university, however, he was fired in faculty purges intended to eliminate “immoral influences” in the university. Due to his leftist and populist standings and cigarette smoking, Parrington was caught in the purge. In 1908, Parrington and David C. Hall, both fired from the University of Oklahoma, were hired at the University of Washington. David Ross Boyd, the president of the University of Oklahoma who was also fired in the university restructuring, recommended Parrington to then UW president Thomas Kane. President Kane travelled to Emporia, Kansas to hire him on the spot. On his arrival in Seattle, with which he was familiar after a 1901 trip to the city when he married his wife Julia, Parrington became a Professor of English. At the university, Parrington slowly built up a strong reputation as students were noted to have lined up to register for his classes.

Parrington is most well-known for his three part biographical study of American politicians from the colonial period until 1920 called Main Currents in American Thought. Most likely begun while living in Oklahoma but completed in Seattle, Parrington published the first two volumes in 1927. These two volumes alone were awarded the Pulitzer Prize in History, marking the first time a Pulitzer was won by a Pacific Northwest resident or by an English professor. The third volume of his book was published by his colleagues after his death. Parrington died of a heart attack in 1929 while on a trip to England paid for with his prize earnings.

Parrington is credited with paving the way for the beginning of American Studies, a new field of study combining political and historical interests. Copies of the three volumes of Main Currents were also three of 200 volumes given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941 by the American Booksellers’ Association.

Outside his study and classroom, Parrington was a sports fan, outdoorsman, and designer. He played semi-professional baseball in Kansas before moving to Harvard and continued to appreciate the sport although he grew too busy to attend games. Parrington is also recorded as admiring nature and being a dedicated gardener, sometimes taking his break between classes in Seattle to walk home and fix his garden before his next duty. Parrington was both interested and skilled in architectural design. While at the University of Oklahoma, he designed and built his own house, taught the first architectural courses at the university, and developed a 50 year architectural and landscape design plan for the Board of Regents. For this work and planning, a central point of the University of Oklahoma is named “Parrington Oval”.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Autobiography, syllabi, correspondence, manuscript notes, clippings, invoices, diaries, photographs, reviews, lecture and course notes, sketches, architectural drawings, and other materials created by and relating to Vernon L. Parrington. Also includes materials related to his wife Julia Parrington, and descendants, Vernon L. Parrington Jr. and Stevens P. Tucker, as well as other genealogical material.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Some restrictions exist on copying, quotation or publication. Contact Repository for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 5 accessions.

  • Accession No. 5014-001, Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1918
  • Accession No. 5014-002, Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1925, undated
  • Accession No. 5014-003, Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1938-2001
  • Accession No. 5014-004, Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1918-1995
  • Accession No. 5014-005, Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1871-2002

Separated Materials

Book "Letters, and Other Curious Pieces, Relating to the Present State of Europe" London, 1672, separated from collection and transferred to Rare Books.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 5014-001: Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1918Return to Top

1 folder (50pp., carbon of typed copy, and photocopy)

Scope and Content: Autobiography, written 1918.

The narrative begins with his great grandfather in Yorkshire, England. He recounts the family traditions in pages 1-7 and continues with the memory of his own life, growing up on a farm at Americus, Kansas; schooling; two years at Harvard; teaching in Emporia, Kansas; and finally to Norman, Oklahoma 1898-1908 when the narrative ends.

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Some restrictions exist on copying, quotation or publication. Contact Repository for details.

Acquisition Info: Transferred with Harold Eby genealogy files from Spec. Collections, 1984-04-18

Accession No. 5014-002: Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1925, undatedReturn to Top

2 volumes

Scope and Content: Syllabi for English 165 and 166, "The American Novel Since 1890," and "Contemporary American Fiction." The two volumes were published by the University Bookstore, 1925 and no date.

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Transferred from Spec. Coll., 1984-06-07

Accession No. 5014-003: Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1893-2001Return to Top

0.83 cubic feet (2 boxes and 1 commencement robe)

Scope and Content: Autobiographical and biographical materials of Vernon L. Parrington, including: collected and transcribed writings of Parrington; articles and news clippings. Also includes Parrington Sr.'s commencement robe.

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Acquisition Info: Sarah Parrington February 2017 and March 2019

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Accession
1 5014-003
Biographies and News Clippings
1978- 2001
1 5014-003
Writings by Vernon Parrington Jr. (Son of Vernon Parrington)
1938-1958
1 5014-003
Personal writings and sketches
undated
1 5014-003
Photo of University of Oklahoma
1990
1 5014-003
"Selected Poetry 1895-1909" compiled by Stevens Parrington Tucker
1995
1 5014-003
"Selected Letters (mainly through 1909)" compiled by Stevens Parrington Tucker
1995
1 5014-003
"Diaries 1890-1929" compiled by Stevens Parrington Tucker
1980
1 5014-003
"Autobiographical Sketch" and poetry compiled by Stevens Parrington Tucker
1995
2 5014-003
Bachelor of Arts degree, Harvard
1893
2 5014-003
Pulitzer prize certificate
1928
box:oversize
Textile Box 1 5014-003
Commencement Robe
undated

Accession No. 5014-004: Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1918-1995Return to Top

0.53 cubic feet (1 box )

Scope and Content: Transcriptions of Vernon Parrington Sr.'s autobiography and diaries, copies of vital records certificates, other writings of Vernon Parrington Jr.

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Acquisition Info: Elsa Parrington Desrochers

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Accession
1 5014-004
Vernon Louis Parrington Jr. Biographic Information
1974
1 5014-004
Correspondence & information regarding Parrington Jr.
1947-1948
1 5014-004
Britannica Article written by Parrington Jr. regarding Parrington Sr.
1953
1 5014-004
Russell & Russell Publishing information regarding American Dreams; by Parrington Jr.
1963-1964
1 5014-004
Clippings about Parrington Jr.'s book
undated
1 5014-004
Autobiographical Sketch
1918
1 5014-004
Correspondence
1995
1 5014-004
"The Democractic Spirit in American Letters" Book 1, 1620-1870
undated
1 5014-004
"The Democractic Spirit in American Letters" Book 2, The Colonial Democrat 1720-1800
undated
1 5014-004
"The Democractic Spirit in American Letters" Book 3, Democracy and Individualism 1800-1865
undated
1 5014-004
Poetry
1895-1909
1 5014-004
Denmark Trip; letters, notes, and grant information
1956-1957
1 5014-004
Writings with Annotations
undated
1 5014-004
Vernon Louis Parrington Sr. Autobiographic Information
1918
1 5014-004
Handwritten notes in spiral notebooks - lectures notes from Denmark
undated
1 5014-004
Handwritten notes in spiral notebooks
undated

Accession No. 5014-005: Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1871-2002Return to Top

18.68 cubic feet (17 boxes plus one oversize vertical file)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, manuscript notes, clippings, invoices, diaries, photographs, reviews, lecture and course notes, sketches, architectural drawings, and other materials created by and relating to Vernon L. Parrington. Also includes materials related to his wife Julia Parrington, and descendants, Vernon L. Parrington Jr. and Stevens P. Tucker, as well as other genealogical material.

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

Acquisition Info: Stevens Tucker

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Accession
1 5014-005
Manuscript notes: alphabetical files A-J
undated
2 5014-005
Manuscript notes: alphabetical files K-Transcendentalism
Scope and Content: Includes notes related to poetry
undated
3 5014-005
Manuscript notes: alphabetical files Transcendentalism-W; Miscellaneous diaries; Letters to Julia Parrington and others; Antecedents
1890-1929
14 5014-005
Copies of materials related to the life of Vernon L. Parrington Sr.
Scope and Content: Includes correspondence between Stevens Tucker and Robert Cotner
1993-2001
4 5014-005
Miscellaneous Journal publications; Book reviews; Harvard papers; start of College of Emporia papers
Scope and Content: Includes autobiographical materials
1879-1927
5 5014-005
College of Emporia papers continued; Obituaries; Vernon L. Parrington Jr.'s notes for Vernon L. Parrington Sr. biography
Scope and Content: Includes materials from the University of Oklahoma, University of Washington, and University of Michigan
1884-1972
6 5014-005
Correspondence and passports
Scope and Content: Includes materials related to royalties, Harcourt Brace, radio and TV contracts, Vernon L. Parrington Jr. correspondence, Julia Parrington correspondence, and other materials
1890-1995
7 5014-005
Notes: Main Currents; Some "Eby papers"; Transcriptions of diaries and letters
Scope and Content: "Eby papers" consists of materials taken by Edwin Harold Eby from Vernon Parrington Sr.'s office at the time of his death. Also includes materials on Vernon L. Parrington Jr., Stevens Tucker correspondence, and photocopies of family photographs.
approximately 1920s-2002
8 5014-005
Democratic Spirit in America Letters; Main Currents page proofs; Handwritten Stuart Forbes manuscript notes
approximately 1904-1923
9 5014-005
Elements of Main Currents manuscript; Miscellaneous papers by and about Vernon L. Parrington Sr.
Scope and Content: Includes autobiographical materials, Stuart Forbes manuscript parts, articles about Vernon L. Parrington Sr., materials related to College of Emporia, the University of Oklahoma, and University of Washington, photocopies of The Mistletoe, photographs, Julia Parrington's notebook, book reviews, and architectural sketches
approximately 1918-1978
10 5014-005
Miscellaneous Parrington files and family history
Scope and Content: Includes reviews for Main Currents, Vernon L. Parrington Jr. correspondence, clippings about Parrington Sr.'s legacy, lecture and course notes, bibliographies,
1903-1976
OSVF 211 5014-005
Family history continued
Scope and Content: Includes sign for J. W. Parrington attorney at law and photocopies of family history records
approximately 1880s
11 5014-005
Letters and family photographs
approximately 1903-1979
15 5014-005
Family history continued
Scope and Content: Includes correspondence, The Harvard Portfolio 1893 volume 4, "Some Emporia Verse" by J. H. Powers (1910) including a poem by Parrington Sr., theses about Parrington Sr., and Seattle house drawings and blueprints
1893-1992
12 5014-005
Typescript of Parrington letters and diaries
Scope and Content: Consists of transcriptions of letters and diaries made by Stevens P. Tucker (grandson) in the mid-1980s. Includes an autobiographical sketch. Also includes "Woldmere Annals 1909-1933" by Edith D. Thomas.
1871-1933
16 5014-005
Letters and diaries continued
Scope and Content: Includes reproductions of architectural drawings, articles, and essays, transcriptions of letters from 1897-1927, Bible, "The Pacific Review" December 1921 including a review for "The Incomparable Mr. Cabell", "Essays on V.L.P" 1939-1940, "The Bookman" April 1929, and "Hand-Book to English 1" from The State University of Oklahoma September 1907
1891-1940
13 5014-005
Biographical sketch of Parrington Sr. by Vernon L. Parrington Jr., Parrington genealogical materials, and miscellaneous personal letters
Scope and Content: Includes materials from Vernon L. Parrington Jr. and Stevens P. Tucker. Also includes an autobiographical sketch by Parrington Sr., photographs.
approximately 1896-1992
17 5014-005
Family history continued
Scope and Content: Includes genealogical materials related to John William Parrington and other family, photographs, and correspondence
1991-1992

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • University Archives/Faculty Papers (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • University of Washington. Department of English

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Parrington, Vernon Louis, 1871-1929 (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • University of Washington. University Archives