PDF | XML

University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Arthur Adkins Papers 1948-1996

© 2008 University of Chicago Library

Descriptive Summary

Title:

Adkins, Arthur. Papers

Dates:

1948-1996

Size:

7.5 linear feet (15 boxes)

Repository:

Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.

Abstract:

Arthur Adkins, classicist, University of Chicago (1974-1996). The papers include Adkins’ notebooks collected as a student at Oxford, personal and professional correspondence, teaching notes and materials (including course outlines and exams) relating primarily to Greek subjects, research material including Xeroxed articles, drafts and published copies of articles and papers, documentation by and about the University of Chicago’s Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World (CAMW), and administrative files regarding the University’s Department of Classics.

Information on Use

Access

Series VI, Restricted, includes departmental files and student material that fall under a 30 or 80 year restriction.

The remainder of the collection is open for research.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Adkins, Arthur. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

Arthur Adkins was born in 1929. He was raised and educated in Great Britain. He received his B.A, M.A. and D.Phil. from Oxford in 1952, 1955, and 1957 respectively. After receiving his D.Phil., he held positions at the British universities of Glasgow, London, Oxford, and Reading. He was offered a position as a Senior Visiting Fellow in the Cornell University Society for the Humanities in Ithaca, New York for the academic year 1967-1968 but he turned it down in order to focus on departmental restructuring then occurring at the University of Reading. He was offered the position once again for the academic year 1969-1970, at which time he accepted.

Adkins joined the University of Chicago faculty in 1974. In 1977, he was named the Edward Olson Professor, a prestigious appointment allotted to a distinguished Professor in Classical Languages & Literatures. He served as Chairman of Classical Languages & Literatures from 1975 to 1980. In 1975, Adkins and University of Chicago professor James Redfield conceived the Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World (CAMW). The program, instituted in May 1979, granted advanced degrees and coordinated the work of scholars studying languages, history, and archaeology. It was one of the first PhD programs in the country to offer an interdisciplinary approach to the ancient world. He served as Chair of the committee for a number of years following and participated in a series of efforts to restructure and refine the committee’s curriculum, requirements, and general organization and purpose. The CAMW has since be restructured and has evolved into what is now known as the Program in the Ancient Mediterranean World (PAMW).

In his own academic research and writing, Adkins was particularly influential in the field of Ancient Greek values and ethics. His work focused on issues of competitive and cooperative virtues in early Greek literature and society. He began studying these topics during his time at Oxford. A series of four binders (included in this collection) filled with notes taken as an undergraduate later served as reference material for his 1985 book, Poetic Craft and the Early Greek Elegists. Materials within the Arthur Adkins Papers collection indicate that he was very well-respected by both colleagues and students. At the University of Chicago, he was revered for his conscientious concern for and attentive attitude towards his students.

He published four books: Merit and Responsibility: A Study in Greek Values (1960), From the Many to the One: A Study of Personality and Views of Human Nature in the Context of Ancient Greek Society, Values and Beliefs (1970), Moral Values and Political Behavior in Ancient Greece (1972) and Poetic Craft and the Early Greek Elegists (1985). He also co-edited University of Chicago Readings in Western Civilization, Volume 1 (1986).

Arthur Adkins and his wife Elizabeth had two children, Matthew and Deborah. Professor Arthur Adkins died of cancer on February 13, 1996.

Scope Note

The Arthur Adkins papers document Adkins’ academic career from 1950-1996. The papers document his career as a student at Oxford University, a faculty member in the Classics department at the University of Chicago, and his research and writings on Ancient Greece. It also includes particularly extensive material on his participation in establishing the Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World (CAMW) at the University of Chicago. The collection contains correspondence, reprints, manuscripts, notebooks, administrative files, and course syllabi, notes and exams.

The collection has been processed and divided into six series: I. Correspondence, II. Subject Files, III. Academics, IV Research, V. Writings, VI. Restricted. The series divisions reflect the general original order of the collection but are reoriented to emphasize particularly prominent aspects of Adkins’s academic career.

Series 1, Correspondence, contains academic correspondence exchanged between Adkins and academic institutions concerning potential faculty positions and recommendations. There are also exchanges regarding Adkins’ participation in conferences and symposia and requesting his presence as a guest lecturer. Finally, there are correspondence between Adkins and his students concerning theses, dissertations, and coursework.

Series 2, Subject Files, contains an assortment of materials such as a lengthy proposal, including project description and proposed budget, for an NEH grant to support the Thesaurus Lingue Graecae. There is also a sizeable memo explaining easy computer use for and within the Humanities departments. Included in this series are a collection of index cards with undated notes on a variety of Greek topics.

Series 3, Academic, is divided into three subseries. These are 1. Oxford, 2. University of Chicago, 3. Other. Subseries 1 includes Adkins’s notes as a student at Oxford. Many of these contain background research for his book Poetic Craft and the Early Greek Elegists, published in 1985. Subseries 2 includes curriculum and program plans along with committee and faculty meetings having to do with the CAMW. In this subseries there are also teaching materials including course outlines, syllabi, exams, notes, and resources for Classics and Western Civilizations courses. A number of the papers in this subseries deal with administrative issues. Subseries 3 contains documents pertaining to Adkins academic work at institutions aside from Oxford and the University of Chicago and including Cornell University and the University of Reading. These include plans for a course on Classics and Technology, reprints of literature to be taught, course outlines, and administrative requirements.

Series 4, Reasearch, contains research consisting primarily of document reprints, Xeroxed articles, and notes. There are also bibliographic listings for a number of prominent classical writers such as Aristoteles, Plato, and Homer.

Series 5, Writings, contains Adkins’ manuscripts with notes and edits written onto them. There are also a number of final copies of published essays. Included is some research and notes pertaining to specific pieces of writing.

Series 6, Restricted, consists of restricted materials having to do with administrative and student materials.

Related Resources

Browse finding aids by topic.

Subject Headings

INVENTORY

Series I: Correspondence

Box 1   Folder 1

Correspondence 1967-1976

Box 1   Folder 2

Correspondence 1967-1976

Box 1   Folder 3

Correspondence, 1975-1980

Box 1   Folder 4

Correspondence, 1988-1992

Box 1   Folder 5

Correspondence and Assorted Notes, 1969-1979

Series II: Subject Files

Box 1   Folder 6

Humanities Computer, 1987

Box 1   Folder 7

Greek Elegy, 1967

Box 1   Folder 8

Thesaurus Lingue Graecae NEH Grant Request, 1979, Binder

Box 1   Folder 9

Dario Sabbatucci, Saggio sul misticismo Greco, 1965, Book

Box 2

Notecards

Series III: Academic

Subseries 1: Oxford

Box 3   Folder 1

AWH Adkins Oxford Student Notes 1, 1950-1952

Box 3   Folder 2

AWH Adkins Oxford Student Notes 2, 1950-1952

Box 3   Folder 3

AWH Adkins Oxford Student Notes 3 pt. 1, 1950-1952

Box 3   Folder 4

AWH Adkins Oxford Student Notes 3 pt. 2, 1950-1952

Box 3   Folder 5

AWH Adkins Oxford Student Notes 4 pt. 1, 1950-1952

Box 3   Folder 6

AWH Adkins Oxford Student Notes 4 pt. 2, 1950-1952

Subseries 2: University of Chicago

Box 3   Folder 7

CAMW-Founding Greek Prospect, 1977-1978

Box 3   Folder 8

CAMW-Students/AdHoc Programs, 1978-1981

Box 3   Folder 9

CAMW Curriculum, 1979

Box 3   Folder 10

CAMW Curriculum, 1978-1979

Box 4   Folder 1

CAMW Curriculum, 1977-1981

Box 4   Folder 2

CAMW Course Notes, 1982

Box 4   Folder 3

CAMW Degree Requirements, 1979-1995

Box 4   Folder 4

CAMW Time Schedules and Course Summaries, 1979-1990

Box 4   Folder 5

CAMW Philosophy Workshop Proposal, 1978-1979

Box 4   Folder 6

CAMW Joint Programs-NELC, 1978-1979

Box 4   Folder 7

CAMW Joint Programs-Philosophy, 1983-1995

Box 4   Folder 8

Philosophy Faculty and Time Schedules, 1975-1995

Box 4   Folder 9

Committee Meetings, 1976-1982

Box 4   Folder 10

CAMW Committee Meetings, 1979

Box 4   Folder 11

CAMW Faculty, 1979

Box 4   Folder 12

CAMW Brochure, Undated

Box 4   Folder 13

Course Exams, 1974-1984

Box 4   Folder 14

Course Outlines and Exams, 1979-1984

Box 4   Folder 15

Helenistic Civilizations Teaching Materials, 1981

Box 4   Folder 16

Greek Ethics and Responsibility, Undated

Box 4   Folder 17

Classics Minutes, 1974-1978

Box 5   Folder 1

Classics Administration, 1980-1995

Box 5   Folder 2

Classics Administration, 1974-1979

Box 5   Folder 3

Classics Administration/Dean’s Report, 1975-1980

Box 5   Folder 4

Western Civilizations/Administrative Changes, 1979-1984

Box 5   Folder 5

Western Civilizations SR Revision, 1974-1983

Box 5   Folder 6

Western Civilizations Teaching Materials, 1977-1981

Box 5   Folder 7

Western Civilizations Teaching Materials, 1981-1985

Box 5   Folder 8

History Teaching Materials, 1982-1985

Box 5   Folder 9

Humanities Open House, 1980

Subseries 3: Other

Box 5   Folder 10

University of Reading Administration, 1971-1974

Box 6   Folder 1

University of Reading Administrative, 1966

Box 6   Folder 2

University of Reading Latin, Undated

Box 6   Folder 3

Language Teaching Materials, Undated

Box 6   Folder 4

Greek Meter, Undated

Box 6   Folder 5

Greek Teaching Materials, Undated

Box 6   Folder 6

Homer Teaching Materials, Undated

Box 6   Folder 7

University of Reading, Plato and Aristotle, Undated

Box 6   Folder 8

Values, Undated

Box 6   Folder 9

University of Reading, Classics and Technology, Undated

Box 6   Folder 10

University of Reading, Classics and Technology, Undated

Box 6   Folder 11

University of Reading, Classics and Technology, Undated

Box 6   Folder 12

University of Reading, Classics and Technology, Undated

Box 6   Folder 13

Teaching Materials, 1972

Box 6   Folder 14

Cornell University, From Socrates to Aristotle, 1969-1970

Box 6   Folder 15

NEH Seminars, 1985

Box 6   Folder 16

NEH Seminar Book

Series IV: Research

Box 7   Folder 1

AWH Adkins (Poetic Craft?), Undated

Box 7   Folder 2

AWH Adkins (Basis for Poetic Craft?), Undated

Box 7   Folder 3

AWH Adkins (Basis for Poetic Craft?), Undated

Box 7   Folder 4

AWH Adkins (Basis for Poetic Craft?), Undated

Box 7   Folder 5

AWH Adkins (Basis for Poetic Craft?), Undated

Box 7   Folder 6

AWH Adkins (Basis for Poetic Craft?), Undated

Box 7   Folder 7

AWH Adkins (Poetic Craft? MS) pt. 1, Undated

Box 7   Folder 8

AWH Adkins (Poetic Craft? MS) pt. 2, Undated

Box 7   Folder 9

AWH Adkins (Poetic Craft? MS) pt. 3, Undated

Box 7   Folder 10

AWH Adkins (Poetic Craft? MS) pt. 4, Undated

Box 7   Folder 11

AWH Adkins (Background for Poetic Craft) pt. 1, Undated

Box 7   Folder 12

AWH Adkins (Background for Poetic Craft) pt. 2, Undated

Box 8   Folder 1

AWH Adkins (Background for Poetic Craft) pt. 3, Undated

Box 8   Folder 2

Greek Prose Notebook, Undated

Box 8   Folder 3

Stoics Notebook, Undated

Box 8   Folder 4

Ethics Notebook, Undated

Box 8   Folder 5

Augustine Notebook, Undated

Box 8   Folder 6

Henry V Notebook, Undated

Box 8   Folder 7

Values and Society Notebook, Undated

Box 8   Folder 8

Virgil Notebook, Undated

Box 8   Folder 9

Xeroxed Articles, Undated

Box 8   Folder 10

Aristoteles, Bibliographic References, 1950-1959

Box 8   Folder 11

Aristoteles, Bibliographic References, 1960-1964

Box 8   Folder 12

Aristoteles, Bibliographic References, 1965-1969

Box 9   Folder 1

Aristoteles, Bibliographic References, 1970-1977

Box 9   Folder 2

Aristoteles, Bibliographic References, 1978-1985

Box 9   Folder 3

Aristoteles, Bibliographic References, 1986-1990

Box 9   Folder 4

Aristophanos, Undated

Box 9   Folder 5

Greek Anthology, 1985-1989

Box 9   Folder 6

Homer, Bibliographic References, 1985-1989

Box 9   Folder 7

Plato, Bibliographic References, 1945-1956

Box 9   Folder 8

Plato, Bibliographic References, 1958-1959

Box 9   Folder 9

Plato, Bibliographic References, 1965-1966

Box 10   Folder 1

Plato, Bibliographic References, 1967-1974

Box 10   Folder 2

Plato, Bibliographic References, 1970-1980

Box 10   Folder 3

Plato, Bibliographic References, 1981-1984

Box 10   Folder 4

Plato, Bibliographic References, 1985-1990

Box 10   Folder 5

Hesiod, Undated

Box 10   Folder 6

Thucydides, 1960-1969

Box 10   Folder 7

Thucydides, Bibliographic References, 1970-1972, 1980-1990

Box 10   Folder 8

Polypragmosune, 1976

Box 10   Folder 9

Collected Examples, Phusis and Psuche, Undated

Box 11   Folder 1

Collected Examples, Phusis and Psuche, Undated

Box 11   Folder 2

Collected Examples, Phusis and Psuche, Undated

Box 11   Folder 3

Collected Examples, Phusis and Psuche, Undated

Box 11   Folder 4

Collected Notes, 1996

Series V: Writings

Box 11   Folder 5

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 6

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 7

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 8

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 9

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 10

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 11

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 12

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 13

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 14

Poetic Craft Typescript, Undated

Box 11   Folder 15

Didaskalos Article, Undated

Box 12   Folder 1

Dilman Review, Undated

Box 12   Folder 2

Greek Religion, Undated

Box 12   Folder 3

Morals and Politics, Undated

Box 12   Folder 4

From the Many to the One, Undated

Box 12   Folder 5

From the Many to the One, Undated

Box 12   Folder 6

From the Many to the One, Undated

Box 12   Folder 7

From the Many to the One, Undated

Box 12   Folder 8

From the Many to the One, Undated

Box 12   Folder 9

From the Many to the One, Undated

Box 12   Folder 10

From the Many to the One, Undated

Box 12   Folder 11

From the Many to the One, Undated

Box 12   Folder 12

The Greeks and Us, Proofs, 1996

Box 13   Folder 11

Merit and Responsibility Notes, Undated

Box 13   Folder 2

Merit and Responsibility Notes, Undated

Box 13   Folder 3

Merit and Responsibility Notes, Undated

Box 13   Folder 4

Merit and Responsibility Notes, Undated

Box 13   Folder 5

Merit and Responsibility Notes, Undated

Box 13   Folder 6

The Speech of Lysia, 1993

Box 13   Folder 7

Transliterated Texts Project 1971

Box 13   Folder 8

Homeric Ethics, Undated

Box 13   Folder 9

Homeric Ethics, Undated

Box 13   Folder 10

Homeric Ethics, Undated

Box 14   Folder 1

Homeric Ethics, Undated

Box 14   Folder 2

Essays, 1960-1988

Series VI: Restricted

Box 15   Folder 1

CAMW-Administrative, 1983-1994, restricted until 2024

Box 15   Folder 2

CAMW Students, 1979-1993, restricted until 2073

Box 15   Folder 3

Classics Minutes, 1978-1995, restricted until 2025

Box 15   Folder 4

Philosophy Department, 1979-1988, restricted until 2018