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James Buell Munn Papers

Call Number

MC.2

Date

1873-1980, inclusive

Creator

Munn, James Buell, 1890-1967
Munn, Ruth Crosby Hanford (Role: Donor)

Extent

13 Linear Feet in 13 boxes

Language of Materials

English .

Abstract

James Buell Munn served as an educator and administrator at New York University during the years 1920 and 1932. His father, John Pixley Munn (1846-1931), a physician, was a member of the University's governing council from 1892 until his death in 1931, and was a major financial benefactor. Munn's mother, Martha Buell Plum Munn (1856-1926), was active in the Woman's Advisory Committee of the School of Education, and the Woman's Law Class. Munn's sister, Aristine Munn-Recht, became a practicing physician and was the first Dean of Women at Washington Square in 1917. The Munn estate papers consist of correspondence, reports, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, biographical and genealogical data, diaries, photographs, printed matter, and ephemera relating to Munn's tenure at Washington Square College, 1920-1932, and his continuing relationship with the college and his former students. There is also material relating to the family's various endeavors, including: Munn's father's medical career in New York, Munn's mother's work with the Woman's Advisory Committee and the Woman's Law Class, and the Munn family farm records.

Historical/Biographical Note

James Buell Munn (September 24, 1890 - February 13, 1967) came to Washington Square College in February, 1920, as an English instructor. When he resigned in February, 1932, to accept a position in the Harvard University English Department, he was Dean of the College. During this period Munn served as director of the Washington Square College Section of the Extramural Division (1922-23) and director of the Evening Division (1923-24). He became Assistant Dean of the College in 1925 and Dean in 1928.

Munn made anonymous donations to the library, laboratory and student facilities. He also funded the education of a significant number of young men, and a few women, who would otherwise not have been able to afford a college education. Munn often gave students that were close to him the use of the library at his 58th Street home, evenings at the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, summers at the Munn family farm near Rochester, New York, and financial help for needed clothing and books. The correspondence between Munn and the "Munn Students" illustrates the close, supportive relationship Munn established with these students. In 1925 the Washington Square College yearbook, Album, was dedicated to him.

The Collection documents Munn's commitment that Washington Square College serve the New York City community by providing both the traditional collegiate education and necessary pre-professional training of its students. Munn interpreted the College's role to be the provision of traditional educational experiences, and preparation for personal and vocational success.

Munn's grandfather, Edwin G. Munn (April 7, 1804-December 12, 1847), was an ophthalmologist with a medical practice in Scottsboro, New York. He often paid for patients' medical treatment when they could not afford it. Edwin G. Munn's office records and medical library have been deposited at the University of Rochester.

Munn's grandmother, Aristine Pixley Munn, donated land for the Woman's College at the University of Rochester.

Munn's father, John Pixley Munn (December 11, 1846-August 15, 1931), had a medical practice in New York City. He was personal physician to Russell Sage and Jay Gould* Starting out as medical examiner of the United States Life Insurance Company of New York City, he eventually became the company's president, and served on the boards of directors of several railroads and banking houses. He was a trustee at New York University from 1892 until his death in 1931, and ex-officio treasurer of the Woman's Advisory Committee (established in 1890 when women were first admitted to the University's School of Pedagogy). As a member of the University Council, John Pixley Munn was instrumental in the merger between his alma mater, the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, with the University Medical School in May, 1898. A gift from him to the University in 1925 helped construct a temporary twelve-story building for the School of Education (completed in 1930) until a larger, permanent building could be financed. John Pixley Munn also served as a trustee at the University of Rochester from 1886 until 1931; he was president of the Board during most of these years.

Munn's mother, Martha Buell Plum Munn (August 2, 1856-September 13, 1926), served New York University as treasurer of the Woman's Advisory Committee and president of the Woman's Legal Education Society (which administered the Woman's Law Class). Mrs. Munn worked closely in these endeavors with Mrs. Russell Sage and Helen M. Gould, and lectured to women's classes in finance and law. In 1918 she established the Woman's Law Class Gown Fund to provide for repair and replacement of graduation gowns. Mrs. Munn also established several scholarship funds at New York University in honor of William A. Wheelock (former Council member, $450), the Rev. George Alexander (minister of The First Presbyterian Church of New York City and Munn family friend, $450) and James Buell (Mrs. Munn's grandfather, $4,500). In 1914 Mrs. Munn gave the University a $300 gift that was used for repairs in Main Building. Mrs. Russell Sage established a $500 scholarship fund in honor of Mrs. Munn. Mrs. Munn's daughter, Aristine Pixley Munn-Recht, served as Washington Square College's first Dean of Women from 1917 until the early 1920's. The papers of John Pixley and Martha Buell Plum Munn have been deposited at the Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester.

Munn's interest in New York University did not end with his resignation from Washington Square College in 1932. Although he remained at Harvard for 25 years until his retirement in 1957, he maintained contact with his former colleagues and students. Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn, whom Munn married in 1932, also corresponded with Munn's former colleagues and students until her death in August, 1976. In 1945 New York University awarded Munn an Honorary Degree. In 1963 his former students established the James Buell Munn Scholarship Fund.

Appendix

For references to James Buell Munn in the New York University Archives, please see Card Catalog under MUNN, J.B.

References include:

Recollections of former faculty and students;References to Munn in oral history interviews conducted by Bayrd StillElmer E. Brown PapersJacob Fisher's autobiographical memoir of student life at Washington Square College during the 1920's (On Vanishing Ground, 1979).

Further references to Munn in the New York University Archives include:

Harry Woodburn Chase PapersWashington Square Yearbook, Album, for the years 1921-1932 (including pictures of Munn and his students);Report of the Dean of Washington Square College by Munn in New York University: Reports of Officers to Chancellor, for the years 1927-1928; 1928-1929; 1929-1930; 1930-1931Department of Fine Arts, Excerpts from Minutes of Board of Trustees, 1927-1930;

Published Writings by Munn include:

Blum, David L, Some Recent New York University Verse, New York: New York University Press, 1926; see "Introduction." (copy in NYU Archives)Jones, Theodore Francis, ed., New York University: 1832-1932, New York: New York University Press, 1933; See chapter "The Washington Square College."Munn, J.B. and Watt, H.A., Ideas & Forms in English and American Literature, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, New York: Scott Foresman & Co., 1925, 1932.

References to Martha Buell Plum Munn in the New York University Archives include:

H. M. McCracken PapersWashington Square College yearbook, Album, 1923, p. 213 (includes picture).

Arrangement

Consists of the James Buell Munn Estate Collection and the James Buell Munn Memorial Collection and is arranged into 12 series. The Estate collection is arranged as follows: Series I - Family; Series II - James Buell Munn; Series III -The James Buell Munn Scholarship Fund; Series IV -Miscellaneous; Series V -Photographs/Artifacts. The Memorial Collection is arranged as follows; Series I -Acquisition ; Series II -Munn Correspondence; Series III -Memoirs; Series IV -Photographs; Series V -Publications -Munn Students; Series VI -Materials derived from the New York University Archives; Series VII -James Buell Munn Exhibit, May-September, 1980.

Folders are generally arranged alphabetically by subject/author heading within each series.

Scope and Content Note

The James Buell Munn Papers in the New York University Archives consist of materials relevant to Munn's tenure at Washington Square College (1920-1932) and his continuing relationship with New York University after his resignation in February, 1932 (to accept a post in the Harvard University English Department) until his death in 1967. There are also materials related to Munn's family and copies of records and diaries that date from his student days at Harvard University.

Munn's papers came under the trusteeship of his wife, Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn, in 1967. In 1975 she removed them from Cambridge to the family farm in Scottsboro, New York, where, with the assistance of Jacob D. Goldstein, a former Washington Square College student and Munn family friend, Mrs. Munn sorted the material into family-related, Harvard-related, and New York University-related categories. When Mrs. Munn died in August, 1976, Jacob D. Goldstein completed the sorting. As Mrs. Munn desired, the family related materials were deposited in the Rush Rhees Library at the University of Rochester, the Harvard-related materials were deposited in the Harvard University Archives, and the New York University-related materials were deposited in the New York University Archives during the Fall of 1978 and Spring of 1979.

The collection illustrates Munn's role in the development of Washington Square College during the 1920's, as well as the relationships he had with his students.

The James Buell Munn Papers in the New York University Archives consist of the James Buell Munn Estate Collection, the materials preserved by Mrs. Munn, and the James Buell Munn Memorial Collection, which was established in the Fall of 1978 in honor of Munn's work at Washington Square College.

The James Buell Munn Estate Collection consists of papers and photographs that date from 1873-1979. It has been arranged in five series:

Series I (1873-1926) consists of materials that relate to Munn's family: his grandfather (Edwin G. Munn), his father (John Pixley Munn) and mother (Martha Buell Plum Munn), and a few items related to Munn's sister and her husband (Aristine Pixley Munn-Recht and Charles Recht), Munn's maternal grandmother (Martha Buell Plum), and cousins Fannie Munn Field and John Munn Hanford, M.D. The materials that relate to Munn's family include genealogies for both the Munn, Pixley, and Buell families (the genealogical materials trace the Pixley and Munn families from 1620 and 1637 respectively; the pages from the Buell family Bible trace the Buell family back to 1794); biographical data; correspondences printed materials, and newspaper clippings relative to Edwin G. Munn's medical practice near Rochester; John Pixley Munn's work a doctor and businessman in New York City; letters from John Pixley to James Buell Munn at Harvard and during the summer of 1926 that reflect their relationship; Mrs. John Pixley Munn's work as a member of the New York University Woman's Advisory Committee, her participation in the Woman's Law Class, and her estate. There is also some correspondence to Munn from Fannie Munn Field (cousin who administered the Munn family farm) and John Munn Hanford, M.D. (who provided medical services for Munn's students who stayed at the farm). These materials constitute a background for the extensive James Buell Munn materials.

Series II (1891-1975) consists of materials that relate to Munn and his wife, Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn* There are correspondence, reports, writings by Munn, printed materials, and newspaper clippings that document Munn's experiences as a young man at Harvard University, his continuing relationship with Harvard after his graduation in 1912 through his acceptance of a teaching post in the Harvard English Department in 1932, his decision in 1919 to remain in New York City and acceptance of a teaching post in the English Department at Washington Square College, his work at Washington Square College during his tenure there, and his continuing relationship with New York University after his resignation in 1932 until his death in 1967. Because of Munn's role at Washington Square College, the collection reflects the growth of the College during the 1920's and student life there during those years. Of particular significance is the correspondence between Munn and his "boys," which began in 1923 and continued until his death. The "Munn Students" correspondence also contains letters from former Washington Square College students who were not directly aided by Munn.

The papers of Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn consist of correspondence with Munn and former colleagues and students, and correspondence and newspaper clippings relating to her gift of Munn's library to the Boston Public Library in 1968.

Series III (1962-1979) consists of correspondence, contributor lists, and reports related to the James Buell Munn Scholarship Fund, established in 1963 at New York University by Munn's former students.

Series IV contains miscellaneous materials. It consists of a folder containing inventories of the Munn Estate Collection materials deposited in the University Archives in the Fall of 1978 by Jacob D. Goldstein.

Series V consists of photographs of the Munn family and associates, and of the "Munn Students" at the Munn farm. Most of the photographs are not dated. The family photographs include Munn's maternal grandmother, Martha Maria Buell Plum, his mother and father, Munn and his sister Aristine as children and young adults, and Aristine's husband Charles Recht. Photographs of Munn family associates include the Rev. George Alexander, Helen M. Gould, a group photograph of the Munn and McCracken families at the Heights campus of New York University, Homer A. Watt in 1947, and photographs of Fannie Munn Field and the "Munn Students" at the Munn farm, 1923-1926. This series also contains a silver cup given to Fannie Munn Field by the "Munn Students" in 1924.

The James Buell Munn Memorial Collection was begun during the negotiations between Bayrd Still, Director, Archives Office, and Jacob D. Goldstein that resulted in the deposit of the Estate Collection in the New York University Archives. In October, 1978, it was decided to augment the materials in the Estate Collection by soliciting extant Munn letters and memoirs from former students. A fund was established by three former students to arrange the Estate Collection and acquire Munn letters and other material that may have been preserved by his former students.

The materials in the Memorial Collection have been arranged in seven series. Series I (1952-1979) contains folders relating to the acquisition of the Estate Collection and the commencement of the Memorial Collection, including correspondence, mailing lists, and financial data. Folder 5 contains current correspondence relating to the acquisition of the Memorial Collection materials. Folder 6 contains printed materials about Munn's students. Series II (1923-1948) contains letters received from Munn that have been contributed by his former students. Series III (1976-1979) contains memoirs written by former students and colleagues. Series IV contains photographs received from former students.*

The James Buell Munn Memorial Collection has been expanded since the original accession date. Three series have been added: Series V contains publications of several of Munn's former students. Series VI contains correspondence and photographs derived from the New York University Archives. Series VII contains the materials used to develop the James Buell Munn Exhibit and photographs of the exhibit.

The Estate Collection is complete as constituted. The Memorial Collection has been organized as the repository for all materials received as the result of solicitation of Munn's former students.

The Estate Collection (with the exception of Series V: Photographs/Artifact) is located in one drawer; the Memorial Collection occupies approximately three quarters of a foot of a second drawer; Series V/Estate Collection is located in a third drawer (drawers 55-57).

The following are among the correspondents in the James Buell Munn Papers:

George AlexanderA. A. BeaumontArthur BeaneA. L. BoutonElmer E. BrownJames BuchmanPaul H. BuckMiguel de CaprilesOscar CargillHenry A. ChairpperHarry Woodburn ChaseHenry Sloan CoffinChauncy M. DepewBenjamin T. FairchildErwin N. GriswoldJames M. HesterHenry JamesJohn Livingston JonesFred I. KentFiske KimballLeRoy KimballDelmar LeightonAlfred L. MannhardtFrank H. McCloskyJohn MusserCharles C. PollockRoscoe PoundDavid SarnoffHarlow ShapleyPercy S. StraussRandall ThompsonJohn Roscoe TurnerHarold O. VoorhisWinthrop W. WadeHomer A. Watt

Series Outline

The James Buell Munn Estate Collection

Series I - Family

Subseries A -Edwin George Munn (JBM's grandfather) Subseries B -John Pixley Munn (JBM's father) Subseries C -Martha Buell Plum Munn (JBM's mother) Subseries D - Other Family

Series II - James Buell Munn

Subseries A -Biographical Data Subseries B -Harvard University Subseries C -New York University Subseries D -Munn Farm Subseries E -Organizations Subseries F -Appointment Books Subseries G -Writings Subseries H -Legal Papers Subseries I - Newspaper Clippings Subseries J -Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn

Series III -The James Buell Munn Scholarship Fund

Series IV -Miscellaneous

Series V -Photographs/Artifacts

Subseries A -Photographs/Family Subseries B -Photographs/Associates Subseries C -Photographs/Munn Farm Subseries D -Artifact/Munn Farm

The James Buell Munn Memorial Collection

Series I -Acquisition (Munn Estate and Memorial Collections)

Series II -Munn Correspondence

Series III -Memoirs

Series IV -Photographs

*Series added to the Memorial Collection, Winter, 1980-1981:

Series V -Publications -Munn Students

Series VI -Materials derived from the New York University Archives

Series VII -James Buell Munn Exhibit, May-September, 1980

Access Restrictions

Open for research without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
New York University Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 998-2646
Fax: (212) 995-4070
E-mail: university-archives@nyu.edu

Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); James Buell Munn Papers; MC 2; box number; folder number; New York University Archives, New York University Libraries.

Provenance

This collection was donated by Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn and Jacob D. Goldstein in 1978 and 1979.

Separated Material

There is no information about materials that are associated by provenance to the described materials that have been physically separated or removed.

Collection processed by

Brenda Parnes

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-20 17:52:39 -0400.
Language: Description is in English.

Processing Note

The materials from accession 10.014 contained multiple duplicates which were discarded. The remaining materials were integrated into the existing series.

In 2018 materials from Boxes 13 and 14 with suspected mold contamnination were consolidated into one box and Box 14 was deleted.

Revisions to this Guide

October 2020: Edited by Anna Björnsson McCormick to include provenance information located in the collection file
April 2021: Edited by Rachel Mahre to revise laudatory language in the Historical / Biographical Note and the Scope and Content Note.

Edition of this Guide

James B. Munn Collection.doc

Repository

New York University Archives
New York University Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012