Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Dwight E. Mitchell (1898-1988) was born in Wichita, Kansas and educated at Philomath College (1916-1920), the University of Oregon (1918-1926), and received his master's from the University of Washington (1933). He also attended Stanford University for Ph.D work. He became a teacher, journalist and writer. He taught in Idaho and Montana high schools from 1920-1928, worked as a reporter and assistant editor of the Idaho Statesman (1929-1930), was an instructor of English and Journalism at Boise Junior College between 1930-1946, and was an education writer on the staff of the San Jose News and Mercury-Herald. He retired in 1962.
The collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, notebooks and diaries, college and university materials, tearsheets, interviews and biographical files, and books.
The correspondence is separated into outgoing (1933-1960) and incoming, which is organized alphabetically.
Manuscript material includes research and preparation files, related correspondence, drafts, revisions and final proofs for article and book-length manuscripts.
Of particular note are the DEMLy series writings and his book, "Migrant Angels." The DEMLy writings were written while Mitchell attended the University of Oregon. It is a series of short privately published articles that were disseminated to a group of Mitchells acquaintances. They illuminate the introspective and philosophical changes in Mitchell's attitude toward himself and his society. This change is also reflected in forty-one articles within the DEMLy series titled, "Clint: Journey through Dark." His book, "Migrant Angels," concerns the demoralization of teaching in America and the lack of bargaining power of teachers in the Bay Area school systems.
Diaries are available for the years 1946-1949; 1963-1967, and reporter notebooks from 1943-1962.
College and university material includes themes, lesson guides, assignments, student papers with corrections, lectures, and reading notes from Mitchell's time at Philomath College and University of Oregon. The paper finding aid lists names of specific lecturers.
Tearsheets concern education topics and reviews of Mitchell's work.
Also available is a radio interview with Mitchell and biographical information.
The 1977 Addenda includes correspondence, manuscripts, articles, publications, family material and books. Outgoing correspondence is organized by date (1938-1975), and incoming correspondence is organized alphabetically. Manuscripts include Mitchell's master thesis, published articles, issues of the DEMLy series (1973; 1975; 1978, and 1969-1972 inventory) and other writings that contain drafts, notes, and revisions. Also available are reviews of Mitchell's work, sales data on "Migrant Angels," autobiographical and genealogical material, photographs and books.
The following Addendas have no corresponding box list or paper finding aid:
The 1978 Addenda contains an autobiography, recollections (including of his UO years), and manuscripts.
The July 1981 Addenda contains the manuscript and published versions of "The Human Side."
The October 1981 Addenda contains Volume 13, no 1-29 (1981) of the DEMLy series.
The 1982 Addenda contains Volumes 11 and 14 of the DEMLy series.