Guide to the Administrative Papers of Chancellor Elmer Ellsworth Brown
1900-1937

New York University Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012

Phone: (212) 998-2646
Fax: (212) 995-4070
Email: university.archives@library.nyu.edu

© 2002. All rights reserved.
New York University Libraries, Publisher.
Processed by Tom Frusciano 1989, Revised by Maggie Williams 1991.
Machine-readable finding aid derived from typescript by rekeying, 2002. Machine-readable finding aid created by Katie Senft and Andrea Jackson. Description is in English.
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Descriptive Summary

Creator: New York University -- Chancellor's Office.
Title: Administrative Papers of Chancellor Elmer Ellsworth Brown Papers
Dates: 1900-1937
Abstract: This collection represents the administrative papers of Elmer Ellsworth Brown, chancellor of New York University from 1911-1933.
Quantity: 47 linear feet
Call Phrase: RG 3.0.4
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Historical Note

On November 9, 1911 Elmer Ellsworth Brown (1861-1934) became the seventh Chancellor of New York University. Chancellor Brown's predecessor, Henry Mitchell MacCracken ushered the University into the new century and laid the groundwork for the transformation of NYU from a small educational institution to a modern University. Brown's task upon assuming the role of Chancellor was to realize that transformation. He guided the University through an enormous growth in student enrollment, significant transformations in the structure of schools within the University, and challenges brought by the First World War and its effects on the city and economy.

Brown desired to establish the school as a legitimate university, distinct from other institutions in the city. In his inaugural speech, he stated, "We need a wider understanding and appreciation of the large purpose and the high responsibilities of this institution. But we need to have it more generally known in the City of New York that this is not the City College nor even a department of Columbia University." Additionally, he emphasized the public duty and responsibility of the University.

During the first decades of the century, NYU expanded both in terms of its academic offerings and physical space. By the end of Brown's tenure, NYU had outgrown the three floors in the Main Building, to occupy ten buildings around Washington Square. New academic buildings and athletic facilities expanded the Heights campus grew to 50 acres. Numerous colleges were organized under Brown, including Washington Square College, Graduate School of Business Administration, School of Retailing, College of Dentistry, School of Aeronautics, and the College of Fine Arts. Other divisions, notably the School of Education, were reorganized.

The over ten-fold growth in enrollment numbers delighted and worried Brown. That NYU had become one of the largest universities in terms of numbers in the country was encouraging, but Brown feared that the large number of students could overwhelm the school's resources and sacrifice the quality of education. Additionally, the University began to rely on student tuitions for income, as the meager endowment could not meet the needs of the growing University. A decrease in enrollment would pose a serious threat to university finances. America's entry into the First World War in 1917 had just that effect. Fewer students and a wartime economy strained the budget of the University. NYU's agreement to receive branches of the Student Army Training Corps at the University Heights campus and at the Medical College both fulfilled Brown's desire for the University to meet it public responsibility and helped to save the school from financial ruin.

"The development within the institution during the period of Chancellor Brown's administration gives to his work an influence and outstanding character in the history of the institution, and one which, in spite of the degree of expansion, has developed upon the lines true to the principles upon which the University was founded."

Administrative History

This collection includes the administrative records from the office of the president/chancellor, the highest administrative and academic office at New York University at the time. Chancellor Elmer Ellsworth Brown's term at NYU began in 1911 and ended in 1933, when he was name Chancellor Emeritus. Brown died in 1934.

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Scope and Content Note

The Elmer Ellsworth Brown administrative papers measure 47 linear feet in 94 boxes and date from 1900 to 1937.

Researchers interested in the growth and evolution of a metropolitan university will find a wealth of information in this collection. Subjects addressed in the collection include changes in the ideological and bureaucratic development of higher education in the 1910s and 1920s; the relationship of NYU to the city, community, and nation; and how the University handled anti-Semitism and racism.

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Arrangement

Series I and II are arranged alphabetically.
This collection is divided into 2 series:

I. Administrative Files

II. Miscellaneous Correspondence

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Related Material at the New York University Archives

Brown, Elmer Ellsworth, 1861-1934, Papers.

The Records of the Henry Mitchel MacCracken Administration, 1884-1910.

The Records of the Students' Army Training Corps, 1916-1921.

The Administrative Record Papers of University College of Arts and Science, Office of the Dean 1899-1941/Dean Archibald Lewis Bouton.

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Separated Material

Photographs and oversized materials have been removed from this collection.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

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

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Access Points

Subject Names:
Bouton, Archibald, 1872-1941.
Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt), 1868-1963.
Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964.
Johnson, Robert Underwood, 1853-1937.
Kellogg, Frank B. (Frank Billings), 1856-1937.
MacCracken, Henry Mitchel, 1940-1918.
Madden, John T. (John Thomas), 1882-1948.
Snow, Charles H. (Charles Henry), b. 1863.
Withers, John W.
Subject Organizations:
American National Red Cross.
Boy Scouts of America.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
New York University--Woman's Law Class.
New York University.
New York University. University College of Arts and Pure Science.
Salvation Army of America.
United States. Army. Students' Army Training Corps.
Washington Square College.
Subject Topics:
Discrimination in education.
Greek letter societies.
New York University--History--20th Century.
New York University. Faculty.
Social service.
Students--civil rights.
United States. Army--Recruiting, enlistment, etc.--World War, 1914-1918.
Universities and colleges--Admission--Law and legislation.
Universities and colleges--Open admission.
World War, 1914-1918.
Subject Places:
New York (State)--New York.
Document Types:
Administrative records.
Clippings.
Correspondence.
Other Names:
Brown, Elmer Ellsworth, 1861-1934.
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Administrative Information

Provenance

These materials were part of the New York University Historical Collection in the Gould Library at the University Heights campus. They came down to Washington Square with the closing of the uptown campus in 1973.

Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Identification of item, date (if known); Elmer Ellsworth Brown Papers (Office of the President/Chancellor); collection number; box number; folder number; &;, New York University Libraries.

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Container List

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

 

Series I: Administrative Files

Scope and Content:

The Administrative Files series consists of 78 boxes. Several folders relate to Brown's civic involvement and concern for philanthropy, culture, and social problems. See folders on the YW and YMCA, Volunteers of America, Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, the National Kindergarten Association, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Two folders address racial tensions: DuBois, W. E .B. and The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a file which contains correspondence concerning discrimination at NYU. Materials regarding anti-Semitism at NYU and Columbia University can be found in Admissions, Selective, which contains reference to intelligence tests and how these were used (or assumed to be used) to discriminate against certain groups.

For information about the relationship of NYU to government policy, see the numerous folders dealing with NYU's involvement in World War I, as well as the R.O.T.C. and League of Nations folders.

Throughout Brown's tenure, he showed a genuine interest in student affairs. Many records reflect his personal concern for student clubs, fraternities/sororities, athletic events, etc. These files are inter-filed throughout the collection and are easily identified by titles.

Few records address the role of women in the University. Also lacking is significant correspondence with other collegiate officials outside of NYU. Only folders on Charles Eliot, the President of Harvard and John H. MacCracken, President of Lafayette College contain substantial information.

Box Folder Title Date
1 1 Abbott, James (Chairman, Alumni Committee on the Million Dollar Fund 1914-1917
1 2 Abbott, Lyman (Editor, The Outlook) 1913-1922
1 3 Adams, James W. 1928, 1933
1 4 Admissions: Entrance Requirements and Standards 1911-1918, undated
1 5 Admissions, Selective 1919-1927
1 6 Advertising, University Wide 1925
1 7 Advertising Club of New York 1918
1 8 Advisory Council on Americanization (U.S. Bureau of Education) 1918
1 9 Alexander, Dr. Charles (Regent, University of the State of New York) 1917
1 10 Alexander, George (President of the Council) 1919-1923
1 11 Alexander, George 1924-1930, undated
1 12 Alexander Hamilton Institute 1918-1923
1 13 Allan, Kenneth T. (Principle, Plainfield, NJ Junior-Senior High School) 1927-1928
1 14 Allen, Beverly Sprague (Professor of English) 1917-1927
1 15 Alpha Mu Sigma Fraternity 1931
1 16 Altman Foundation 1930-1933
1 17 Alumni 1901-1915, 1926, 1930
1 18 Alumni Association of the Law School 1912-1919
1 19 Alumni Associations 1911-1919
1 20 Alumni Centennial Dinner (March 1, 1932) 1931
1 21 Alumni Committee on the Million Dollar Fund 1914-1916
Box Folder Title Date
2 1 Alumni Day 1919
2 2 Alumni Electorate 1901
2 3 Alumni Extension Service, Intercollegiate 1926
2 4 Alumni News (Alumnus) 1919-1921, 1925
2 5 Alumni Relations 1913-1918, 1925
2 6 Alumni Scholarship 1919-1924
2 7 Alumni Secretary (Howard F. Langland 1919-1922
2 8 Alumni Secretary (Frederick M. Crossett) 1922-1925
2 9 Alumni Survey, Committee on 1927
2 10 Alumni, Prominent 1917-1918
2 11 America, University of 1922
2 12 American Academy of Political and Social Science 1913-1915
2 13 American Association for International Conciliation 1914-1915
2 14 American Association of University Professors 1916, 1918
2 15 American Book Company 1913-1917
2 16 American Civil Liberties Union 1927, 1931
2 17 American Council on Education 1920-1932
2 18 American Defense Society, Inc. 1917-1921
Box Folder Title Date
3 1 American Foundation 1931-1932
3 2 American Institute of Graphic Arts 1928
3 3 American Institute of the City of New York 1913-1916
3 4 American Legion Award 1923
3 5 American Peace Centenary Committee 1912-1918
3 6 American Red Cross Society 1914-1930
3 7 American Social Science Foundation 1914-1915
3 8 American University Union in Europe 1917-1931
3 9 American Yearbook Corporation 1914-1931
3 10 Amsterdam, University of 1932
3 11 Andiron Club of New York City 1916-1922
3 12 Andrews, Fannie Fern (Special Collaborator, U.S. Bureau of Education) 1918
3 13 Applications for Positions 1915-1919
3 14 Applied Science, School of 1912-1919
3 15 Arnold, J. Loring (Professor of Electrical Engineering) 1914-1920
Box Folder Title Date
4 1 Arnsdorf, Henry G. (Registrar) 1926-1933
4 2 Arthur, James, Collection of Timepieces 1926-1931
4 3 Artist Tenants of the University Building Washington Square 1924-1925
4 4 Ashley, Clarence (Dean, School of Law) 1910-1915, undated
4 5 Association of American Colleges 1914-1933
4 6 Association of American Universities 1912-1915
4 7 Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools of the Middle States and Maryland 1913-1920
4 8 Association of Colleges in the State of New York 1917-1918
4 9 Association of Collegiate Alumnae 1920
4 10 Association of New York University 1913-1914
4 11 Association of Urban Universities 1915-1918
4 12 Astor, Vincent 1912-1923
4 13 Athletic Constitutional Committee 1926, undated
Box Folder Title Date
5 1 Athletic Control, Board of 1926-1933
5 2 Athletic Inquiry, Committee of 1925-1927
5 3 Athletic Inquiry, Faculty Subcommittee on 1929-1930
5 4 Athletic Scholarships 1929-1930
5 5 Athletics 1921-1931
5 6 Athletics, Council Committee on 1930, 1932
5 7 Athletics, Director of (Henry C., Hathaway) 1920-1927
5 8 Athletics, Race Issue (University of Georgia Football Game) 1929-1930
5 9 Athletics, Special Committee on 1930
5 10 Atkinson, Walter E. (Alumni Federation) 1926
5 11 Auerback, Joseph S. (Council Associate) 1912-1933
5 12 Autographs 1914-1925
5 13 Avram, Mois H. (Chairman, Engineering Fund Committee) 1915-1932
5 14 Aymar, Francis, W. (Professor of Law and University Legal Counsel) 1918-1923
Box Folder Title Date
6 1 Babcock, Charlotte (International Musical and Educational Agency) 1915
6 2 Babcock, Earle B. (Professor of Romance Languages and Literature and Dean, Graduate School) 1915-1932
6 3 Babcock, Kendric (U.S. Bureau of Education) 1912-1929
6 4 Babst, Earl D. (President, The American Sugar Refining Company 1915-1928
6 5 Bacon, Cleveland F. (Professor of Law) 1925-1927
6 6 Badger, Philip O. (Assistant to Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Athletic Control) 1921-1933
6 7 Bailey, Thomas P. (University of the South) 1916
6 8 Baird, Henry Martyn, Memorial Fund 1923
6 9 Baird, Mrs. William S. (Grace) 1920
6 10 Baker, George (benefactor) 1922-1931
6 11 Baldwin, Emma V. (Brooklyn Public Library) 1919
6 12 Balliet, Thomas M. (Dean, School of Pedagogy) 1913-1929
6 13 Baltzly, Alexander (Assistant Dean, Washington Square College) 1927-1929
6 14 Banks, Edgar J. 1914
6 15 Barber Associates Fundraising Campaign 1918-1919
6 16 Barlow, Joseph W. (Professor of Spanish) 1927-1932
6 17 Barnes, Dr. Arthur (Colonial Secretary, Newfoundland) 1921, 1931-1933
Box Folder Title Date
7 1 Barr, Jean B. (Assistant Registrar) 1916-1933
7 2 Bartlett, Alice Hunt (American Classical League) 1929-1932
7 3 Battle, George Gordon (Chairman, New York State Sesquicentennial Committee) 1930
7 4 Battle, Wallace A. (Field Secretary, The American Church Institute for Negroes) 1930
7 5 Bayer, Henry C. (Professor of French) 1921-1932
7 6 Belgium Scholarship Committee 1916
7 7 Benedict, Charles S. 1918, 1920
7 8 Bennet, William S. (U.S. House of Representatives) 1915-1916
7 9 Berg, Irving H. (Minister, Fort Washington Collegiate Church) 1927-1930
7 10 Berkeley Oval Park (Bronx) 1922
7 11 Bewer, Julius A. (Union Theological Seminary) 1925
7 12 Bible Teachers Training School 1917
7 13 Biblical Seminary of New York 1922
7 14 Bibliotheca Belgica Library 1930
7 15 Biggs, Dr. Herman (New York Academy of Medicine) 1915, 1920-1921
7 16 Biggs, Dr. Herman, Memorial Fund 1926-1932
7 17 Bill, Charles Alfred 1922, 1927-1928
7 18 Binder, Rudolph M. (Professor of Sociology) 1912-1930
7 19 Black, Captain, R.D. (Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.) 1913
7 20 Blashfield, Edwin Howland 1922-1923
7 21 Bliss, Collins P. (Professor of Mechanical Engineering) 1912-1921
7 22 Bliss, Collins P. 1922-1923
Box Folder Title Date
8 1 Bliss, Collins P. 1924-1927
8 2 Bliss, Collins P. 1928-1933
8 3 Bloch, Joshua (New York Public Library) 1921-1930
8 4 Bloom, Major J.E. (S.A.T.C., Manhattan College) 1918
8 5 Blunt, Lewis G. 1917-1920
8 6 Board of Control of Student Activities (non-athletic) 1922-1926
8 7 Board of Control of Student Activities 1927
8 8 Board of Control of Student Activities 1928-1929
Box Folder Title Date
9 1 Board of Control of Student Activities 1930-1931
9 2 Board of Control of Student Activities: Clippings 1922-1928
9 3 Board of Control of Student Activities: Minutes 1926, 1931
9 4 Board of Education of New York City 1918
9 5 Board of Estimate and Apportionment: Bellevue Hospital and Medical College 1911-1915
9 6 Bodman, Mrs. Edward C. (Ida) (Women's Advisory Committee) 1911-1913, undated
9 7 Book Stores 1912-1914
9 8 Borah, William E. (Chairman, U.S. Senate, Foreign Relations Committee 1925
9 9 Bossange, E. Raymond (Dean, College of Fine Arts) 1926-1933
9 10 Bouton, Archibald L. (Professor of English and Dean, University College of Arts and Science) 1911-1916
9 11 Bouton, Archibald L. 1917-1921
9 12 Bouton, Archibald, L. 1922-1927
Box Folder Title Date
10 1 Bouton, Archibald L. 1928-1933
10 2 Boy Scouts of America 1914-1918
10 3 Boyd, James (Member, University Council) 1913-1933
10 4 Boynton, Nehemiah (Clinton Avenue Congregational Church) 1915-1916
10 5 Briand, Aristide, Ceremony (President, Council of Ministers of the French Republic) 1921
10 6 Brisco, Norris A. (Director, School of Retailing) 1920-1933
10 7 Bristol, Charles L. (Professor of Biology) 1913-1921
10 8 Broadway Tabernacle Church: Men's League 1915-1920
10 9 Bronx, General 1915-1918
10 10 Brooklyn Botanical Garden 1915, 1918, 1924
10 11 Brown, Dr. Arthur J. (Chairman, Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church) 1916, 1920
10 12 Brown, Carleton (Professor of English) 1927-1928
10 13 Brown, Elmer E.: Biographical Material 1932-1933
10 14 Brown, Elmer E.: Clippings re Selection as Chancellor 1911
10 15 Brown, Elmer E.: Dinner for Student and University Officers 1927
10 16 Brown, Elmer E.: Inauguration as Chancellor and Educational Conference 1911
Box Folder Title Date
11 1 Brown, Elmer E.: Thanksgiving Day Letter 1928, 1930
11 2 Brown, Frederick (benefactor) 1929-1930
11 3 Brown, Kate Collins: Bequest 1921-1922
11 4 Brown, Marshall S. (Acting Dean, University College and Dean of the Faculties) 1913-1920
11 5 Brown, Marshall S. 1921-1922
11 6 Brown, Marshall S. 1923-1924
11 7 Brown, Marshall S. 1925-1926
11 8 Brown, Marshall S. 1927-1928
11 9 Brown, Marshall S. 1929-1933
Box Folder Title Date
12 1 Brown, Marshall S.: Committee on Research and Publication 1928
12 2 Brown, Samuel A. (Dean, University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College) 1914-1932
12 3 Brownell, Fred G. (Managing Editor, NYU Alumnus) 1924-1925
12 4 Bruere, Henry (New York City Chamberlain) 1915
12 5 Buck, Gertrude 1915
12 6 Budget 1911-1931
12 7 Bureau of Business Research 1922-1929
12 8 Bureau of Business Research: Inquiry 1930
Box Folder Title Date
13 1 Bureau of Business Research: Inquiry 1930
13 2 Bureau of Business Research: Inquiry 1931
13 3 Bureau of Business Research: Printed Material 1930-1931
13 4 Bureau of Business Research: Printed Material 1930-1931
13 5 Business Fellowships 1915
13 6 Business School, Graduate 1924, undated
13 7 Busse, Alvin C. (Bureau of Public Information) 1930-1933
13 8 Butler, Emily O. 1917-1927
13 9 Butler, William Allen 1919
13 10 Butler Hall undated
Box Folder Title Date
14 1 California, University of 1917-1930
14 2 Campus Concert Course 1918, 1920
14 3 Capen, Dr. S.P. (Specialist in Higher Education, U.S. Bureau of Education) 1914-1915
14 4 Carnegie, Andrew 1911-1918
14 5 Carnegie, Louise W. (Mrs. Andrew) 1912-1932
14 6 Carnegie Corporation 1915-1929
14 7 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 1915-1918, 1932-1933
14 8 Carnegie Foreign Fellowship for Junior Students 1927
14 9 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching 1912-1917
14 10 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching 1918-1933
14 11 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching: Report on Athletics 1928-1931
14 12 Carnegie Institute of Technology 1918
14 13 Carnegie Institution 1924, 1932
Box Folder Title Date
15 1 Carter, Lt. Col. A.H. 1918
15 2 Carty, General John J. (NYU Council) 1922-1932
15 3 Catskill Aqueduct Celebration Committee 1917-1918
15 4 Cattell, James McKeen (Professor, Columbia University) 1913-1916
15 5 Centennial Charter Day Dinner (April 28, 1931) 1931
15 6 Centennial Fund Material 1925-1931
15 7 Centennial History (T.F. Jones) 1932-1933
15 8 Centennial: Morse and Draper Commemoration 1930-1932
15 9 Centennial: Telegrams and Letters of Congratulation 1931
15 10 Central Recording Office 1915-1916
15 11 Century Association 1915-1918
Box Folder Title Date
16 1 Chamber of Commerce New York City 1912-1918, 1926
16 2 Chaplains 1911, 1916
16 3 Charnwood, R. Hon. Lord (The Royal Society of Literature) 1918-1919
16 4 Chase, Harry Woodburn (Chancellor of NYU, 1933-1951) 1933-1934
16 5 Chemistry Building Committee: Minutes 1926
16 6 Chemistry Department and Laboratory: University Heights 1912-1918
16 7 Christian Science Monitor 1918-1929
16 8 Christie, Dr. Francis A. (Meadville Theological School) 1915
16 9 Christmas Box Committee 1917-1918
16 10 City Clerical Personnel, Program for 1915-1916
16 11 City Club of New York 1918-1921
16 12 Civic Club of New York 1916
16 13 Clapp, Edwin J. (Professor of Trade and Transportation) 1912-1916
16 14 Clark, Walter E. (College of the City of New York) 1917
16 15 College Board of the Presbyterian Church 1910-1918
16 16 College of the City of New York 1918-1933
16 17 College Education, Value of 1922-1925, undated
16 18 Collins, G. Rowland (Assistant, Dean, School of Commerce) 1926-1929
16 19 Collins Scholarship 1924, 1926
16 20 Colorado, University of 1919
16 21 Columbia University 1915-1932
16 22 Columbia University: Teachers College 1923-1931
Box Folder Title Date
17 1 Commencement 1913, 1916-1920
17 2 Commencement 1921-1930
17 3 Commencement 1931
17 4 Commencement: Centennial 1931-1932
17 5 Commencement 1933
17 6 Commerce, School of 1912-1926
Box Folder Title Date
18 1 Commerce, School of: Deanship File 1925
18 2 Commerce, School of: Deanship File 1925