University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections5261Griffiths, Gordon, 1914-2001Gordon Griffiths
papers 1960-200119.21 cubic feet (20 boxes)Collection materials
are in English.Research materials on the Leonardo Bruni, the Italian
Renaissance, and French and other European history of a former University of
Washington professor of historyGordon Griffiths was born in 1914 in Berkeley, California. He received
a B.A. in Greek from UC Berkeley in 1936, B.A. and M.A. degrees in modern
history from Balliol College at Oxford, and a Ph.D. in history from UC Berkeley
in 1942. He taught history at Farragut College in 1947, UC Berkeley 1947-1955,
Lawrence College 1955-1959, and at the University of Washington from 1959 unitl
his nominal retirement in 1980.
At the University of Washington, he taught Renaissance, Reformation,
and Dutch history, and his own research focused on the Italian Renaissance,
especially the career of Leonardo Bruni. Griffiths had a long history of
political activism. He joined the Communist Party in the 1930's and was an
ardent opponent of fascism and Nazism. In the early 1950's, he was involved in
a fight against the loyalty oath imposed by the regents of the University of
California, and in the 1960's was involved in opposition to the Washington
Loyalty Oath. He was also a strong opponent of the conflict in Vietnam.
Griffiths died on January 13, 2001.
Biographical features, writings, course files, reference files,
research files, subject files.
Organized into 2 accessions.
- Accession No. 5261-001, Gordon Griffiths Papers, 1960-1998
- Accession No. 5261-002, Gordon Griffiths Papers, circa
1990's-2001
Open to all users, but access to portions of the papers restricted.
Contact repository for details.
Request at UW
Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of
Washington Libraries.
Processing Level 1.
Bruni, Leonardo, 1369-1444Griffiths, Gordon, 1914-2001--ArchivesItaly--History--Renaissance, 1450-1600--ResearchFrance--History--16th century--ResearchHumanism--Italy--ResearchHumanists--Italy--ResearchHuguenots--France--ResearchRenaissance--Italy--ResearchHuguenots--France--ResearchUniversity Archives/Faculty Papers (University of Washington)Colleges and UniversitiesThe following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in
the collection.
Accession No. 5261-001: Gordon Griffiths Papers, 1960-199819.00 cubic feet (19 boxes)Scope and Content: Notes, exams, and syllabi for classes that Griffiths taught;
subject files; reference files for research projects; and research files on
Leonardo Bruni.
View inventory/container list for this accession
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users, but access to portions of the papers
restricted. Contact repository for details.
Acquisition Info: Received from Dr. Dauril Alden, February 1, 2001 and John
Griffiths, May 10, 2001.
Processing Info: Processing Level 1.
Accession No. 5261-002: Gordon Griffiths Papers, circa 1990's-20010.21 cubic ft. (1 box)Scope and Content: Biographical features, writings.
Autobiography of Gordon Griffiths, entitled "Venturing Outside the
Ivory Tower: The Political Autobiography of a College Professor," focuses on
his political activities.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Acquisition Info: Received from Dauril Alden, March 10, 2005.
Processing Info: Processing Level 1.
Biographic features1Obituary - "Perspectives"2001Writings1Unpublished Manuscript - "Venturing Outside the Ivory
Tower: The Political Autobiography of a College Professor" by Gordon
Griffithsca. 1990's