Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Biographical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- 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, 1893-2001
- Accession No. 5014-004: Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1918-1995
- Accession No. 5014-005: Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1871-2002
- Names and Subjects
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)18712002
- 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.
- 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
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Accession No. 5014-001: Vernon Louis Parrington papers, 1918Return to Top
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
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
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
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
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