© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library
© 2006 University of Chicago Library
No restrictions.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Scott, Arthur Pearson. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Arthur Pearson Scott (1884-1961) was born in Chicago and educated at Princeton and the University of Chicago, receiving his Ph.D. from the latter in 1916. After teaching at Syrian Protestant College, Beirut, from 1904 to 1907, he accepted a position in the Department of History of the University of Chicago, rising from instructor in history (1913) to the rank of Professor of Modern History (1941). He retired in 1949, subsequently holding visiting professorships at Yengching University (1947-48), UCLA (1950) and Bangkok (1951-52).
The papers in this collection deal exclusively with Scott's academic activities at the University of Chicago, principally during the 1930's and early 1940's. They are primarily concerned with the establishment of the "Hutchins Plan," and illustrate the academic and administrative problems involved in setting up the College under the Plan, and the efforts to integrate its curricula and faculties with that of the Divisions and professional schools. It is especially revealing of the differences that arose between Hutchins and the faculty over basic educational philosophy and the determination of curricula and academic standards. The material has been arranged in two rough categories: correspondence, memoranda and reports originally authored by Scott, and material which may or may not have been authored by Scott, but with which he was involved, and which he amended. This material is arranged by provenance, running from the Board of Trustees down to the Laboratory Schools, and finishing with general matter not otherwise categorized. The collection contains only such material as appears to have involved Professor Scott or pertains to the establishment of the Hutchins Plan but is not available elsewhere. It is thus arranged to furnish sources both on the establishment of the Plan and on his participation in its establishment. It is contained in one box of fifteen folders.
The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections: