© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library
© 2006 University of Chicago Library
Series VI contains evaluative student records that are restriced until 2043.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Eby, Kermit. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Kermit Eby (1903-1962) was a teacher, labor leader, and a minister of the Church of the Brethren. He received his B.A. degree from Manchester College in 1927 and was awarded the M.A. degree by the University of Chicago in 1931. During the 1930's, Eby taught high school in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There, he first became involved in the labor movement. Not only was Eby instrumental in founding the Ann Arbor teachers' union, but he also helped organize the auto workers in Michigan - a turbulent chapter in American labor history. From 1937 to 1942, Eby served as executive secretary of the Chicago Teachers' Union. He joined the Education and Research section of the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1943, and became director of that bureau in 1945.
The University of Chicago appointed Kermit Eby associate professor of social science in 1948 and full professor in 1950. During his tenure at the University, Eby contributed numerous articles to national, religious, and labor periodicals; he maintained contact with his acquaintances in political, labor and other pressure groups; and he was active in politics and the civil rights movement. As a teacher, Eby continually challenged his students to make use of their formal education in "getting their hands dirty" in grass roots political and labor activity.
The papers of Kermit Eby consist of correspondence, academic materials, manuscripts, scrapbooks and photographs. The Papers are divided into six series.
Series I, Correspondence, illuminates Eby's work in labor, politics, religion, and education. Walter Reuther, Victor Reuther, A. J. Muste, Williard Uphaus, Paul H. Douglas, and Milton Eisenhower, are among the major correspondents. Much of the correspondence pertains to articles Eby submitted to magazines and journals.
Series II, Writings, includes manuscripts and reprints of articles, essays, reviews and short fiction written by Eby.
Series III contains material related to Eby's work with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). The CIO material not only reveals Eby's activities but also the roles of Philip Murray, James Carey, and other C.I.O. leaders during the years 1943 to 1948.
Series IV, Biographical and Miscellaneous, includes articles and reviews written about Eby and his work, photographs and personal documents, correspondence and reports concerning the American Advisory Commission on Education to Japan and several unidentified manuscripts.
Series V contains a set of scrapbooks, documenting Eby's public career from 1933 to 1962. They contain newspaper clippings, articles, photographs, and an occasional piece of correspondence.
Series VI contains examinations completed by University of Chicago students for Master's and Doctoral degrees. Access to this material is restricted for 80 years from date of creation.