Records of the Office of the Dean, University College of Arts and Science (Archibald L. Bouton)
Dean Archibald Lewis Bouton
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Abstract
Collection contains correspondence of Professor of Rhetoric (1905-1914) and English (1914-1941), and Dean of University College of Arts and [Pure] Science (1914-1935), Archibald L. Bouton . Also included are transcripts of lectures, exam questions, course outlines, essays and articles written by Bouton many of which concern World War I (1914-1918) and the role of the University in student mobilization for the conflict.
Biographical Information
Archibald Lewis Bouton was born on September 1, 1872 in Cortland, New York. He received his A.B. from Amherst in 1896 and his M.A. from Columbia in 1900. He first came to New York University in 1898 as an instructor of English. In 1901 he became an assistant professor, and then a full professor in 1905. In 1914 Bouton became head of the English department and also the Dean of the College of Arts and Pure Science.
In 1916 Bouton took a year's leave of absence to study at Harvard. Marshall S. Brown took over his duties as Dean for this time. Bouton used his summers to be a guest lecturer at various schools: the University of California in 1925, and the University of Colorado in 1927-1930.
In 1919 Bouton wrote a pamphlet entitled "The Colleges and Americanism." Here he set forth the idea that American institutions of higher learning had to inculcate values of "Americanism" in their students. To do so, it was first necessary to find a specific "type" of student who could maintain a high level of academic performance. This pamphlet written by Bouton and the subsequent actions of University Administration led to the creation of the selective admissions policy at University College in 1919. A policy of selective admissions was without precedent in the United States, and called for the taking of a psychological test, an appearance before a personnel board and an oath of loyalty before a student could be admitted at the University Heights College.
From 1931-1932, Arthur Hill became Acting Dean while Bouton travelled abroad. Bouton had earlier (1923-1924) taken a sabbatical, leaving Perley Thorne to act as Dean in his absence. Finally in 1935, Bouton was forced to take another leave, this time for health reasons. Arthur Hill again stepped in for him until Irving Berg was appointed Dean in 1936.
Once recovered, Bouton concentrated on his teaching and became the Director of the Elmer Ellsworth Brown House for English Studies. Bouton died on April 18, 1941 (in Pasadena, California) after having been Dean of University College for twenty-one years, Acting Dean of the Graduate School for 1925-1927, and a teacher for forty-three years.
Sources:
- Chancellor's Reports, 1914-1935, New York University.
- Jones, Theodore Francis, ed., New York University 1832:1932, New York: New York University Press, 1933.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged alphabetically by subject
The records have been organized into two series:
- 1. Correspondence
- 2. Lectures Notes, Writings, Addresses and Publications.
Scope and Content
Series I: Correspondence, 1914-1935, is an alphabetical subject file consisting of correspondence, memoranda, news clippings, and charts. It includes material on such diverse topics as departments within the University, property and facilities operated by the University, as well as extensive information concerning World War I. This chronicles the University's involvement and participation with the U.S. Military during and after World War I. Of special note are Bouton's correspondence concerning the relationships between the University, the military, and the public as a result of the war. Also of importance during this time period is the University's involvement with the Students' Army Training Corps and the Reserve Officer Training Corps which was an outgrowth of the University's experience with the S.A.T.C. How students felt about the University and its military involvement is reflected in correspondence with the Dean. Also included is material concerning selective admissions, the use of personnel and psychological testing, loyalty oaths, and their relationship towards using higher education to inculcate Americanizing influences upon students.
Series II: Lecture Notes, 1899-1915; Writings, Addresses, and Publications, 1909-1941, is a chronological file consisting of fragments of lectures, exam questions, and course outlines. Included are Lecture Notes taken by Bouton in a graduate course he attended at Columbia University. Taught by Professor Robinson in 1899-1900 the course was entitled, "History XI." Bouton became the professor of History of English Literature at New York University in the years 1911-15 and Lecture Notes for several courses are included in this series. Also included are Writings and Addresses, 1914-1921. Publications, 1909-1934 consist of a chronological arrangement of articles, essays, and pamphlets written by Bouton.
Note! Look for a particular professor's correspondence under both the individual's name and department.
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Access Restrictions
Institutional records of New York University are closed for a period of 20 years from the date of their creation (the date on which each document was written). Board of Trustees records are similarly closed for 35 years from the date of creation. The opening date for files spanning several years will be 20 years from the most recent date. Access will be given to material already 20 years old contained within a collection that is not yet open when such material can be isolated from the rest of the collection.
Materials related to personnel, faculty grievances, job searches and all files with information that falls under the University's Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policy are permanently restricted.
This collection is in off-site storage.
Use Restrictions
There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact
New York University Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); Records of the Office of the Dean, University College of Arts and Science (Archibald L. Bouton); RG 18.0.2; box number; folder number; New York University Archives, New York University Libraries.
Location of Materials
Provenance
The alphabetical subject files of Archibald L. Bouton, Dean of University College from 1899-1941, came from the Office of the Dean of University College and were transferred to the University Archives from the University Heights Campus when the campus closed in 1973.
Separated Material
Some oversized materials have been removed from Box 1 and placed in flat storage. Separation sheets in the folders indicate where these materials were originally located.