James Buell Munn Papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
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
Subjects
Organizations
Families
Genres
People
Topics
Places
Donors
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.
About this Guide
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
Edition of this Guide
Repository
Series I: Family
Subseries A: Edwin George Munn
Biographical Data
Handwritten reminiscence; article in Buffalo Medical Journal by C. W. Hennington; short biographical sketch., 1894 , 1912 , 1978, inclusive
Correspondence
Letter from Rochester railroad office re patient (xerox)., 1840, inclusive
Buffalo Medical Journal, 1912
Language of Materials
Article on Edwin Munn's Papers, 1979
Language of Materials
Subseries B: John Pixley Munn
Biographical Data
Listed as medical student in Annual Circular, Bellevue Hospital Medical College, p. 14; Who's Who in Finance & Banking; short biographical sketch., 1873-1902 , 1978, inclusive
Biographical Data; Story of a Bookman, H. Robinson Shipherd
References to JPM's assistance when Shipherd was a student at Harvard University, pp. 27-29.
Genealogy
Materials that trace the descent of the Munn family from Benjamin Munn in 1637, and the Pixley family from Governor William Bradford, 1620.
Correspondence (May 1, 1879-Sept. 28, 1926)
Includes letter of reference from Chauncy M. Depew; letters from JPM to his son James Buell., 1955 , 1879-1926, inclusive
Correspondence - Duplicates
Xerox copies of letters from JPM to James Buell., undated, inclusive
Organizations
Membership certificate to the Medical Association of the Greater City of New York., 1900, inclusive
Newspaper Clippings
Described as physician and friend of Jay Gould, Russell Sage; United States Life Insurance Company of New York scandal., 1892-1905, inclusive
Newspaper Clippings - Associates
Obituary of Mrs. H. R. Shipherd., 1960, inclusive
Subseries C: Martha Buell Plum Munn
Biographical Data
Death Certificate (Sept. 13, 1926), 1926, inclusive
Biographical Data
Obituary (xerox), 1926, inclusive
Genealogy
Record kept in Buell family Bible includes entries from 1794-1899 of births, marriages, and deaths. (xerox), undated, inclusive
New York University - Woman's Advisory Committee
Minutes, 1917, inclusive
New York University - Woman's Law Class
Invitations to Opening Exercises., 1897-1903, inclusive
New York University - Woman's Law Class
Copies of "Bi-weekly Bulletin" (4)., 1901-1904, inclusive
New York University Woman's Law Class
Lecture (transcript) given by Mrs. Munn, undated, inclusive
New York University - Woman's Law Class
"For The Better Protection of Their Rights," pamphlet written to celebrate 50th anniversary of the Woman's Law Class; references to Mrs. Munn, pp. 40-41, 51-52., 1940, inclusive
Legal Papers
Will and Codicil; handwritten notes on envelope addressed to John M. Recht (Grandson), no author., 1915-1916 , 1926, inclusive
Subseries D: Other Family
Biographical Data
Aristine Pixley Munn (JBM's sister) birth certificate; letter of congratulations from Rev.,George Alexander., 1887, inclusive
Correspondence
References to the Munn Farm and medical assistance pro vided to Munn's students. Correspondents include JBM's cousins Fannie Munn Field and John Munn Hanford, M.D., and letter from an unidentified nephew., 1923-1952, inclusive
Newspaper Clippings
Obituaries of Fannie Munn Field (not the same person who lived on the Munn Farm during the 1920'x; 1873); Martha Buell Plum (JBM's grandmother; 1874); Aristine Pixley Munn Recht (April, 1952); Charles Recht (husband of Aristine; July 1965)., 1873-1874 , 1952 , 1965, inclusive
Obituary: James Buell, 1881
Language of Materials
Series II: James Buell Munn
Subseries A: Biographical Data
Certificate of Baptism
Includes certificate and letter of congratulations from Rev. George Alexander., 1891, inclusive
Biographical Sketch
Bibliography listed in National Union Catalog Imprints; Sketch in Who's Who in America., 1956 , 1966-1967, inclusive
Memorial Minute, 1968
Language of Materials
Subseries B: Harvard University
Sub-subseries 1: Student Years at Harvard, 1909-1912
Language of Materials
Correspondence
Includes decision to enter teaching profession and demonstrates JBM's contact with Harvard since his graduation in 1912. Correspondents include Arthur Beane, Paul H. Buck, Erwin N. Griswold, John Livingston Jones, Delmar Leighton, A. Lawrence, Harlow Shapley, Randall Thompson, Winthrop W. Wade., 1913-1955, inclusive
Student Records
JBM's report card (1909-1910 academic year); questionnaire, Class of 1912., 1909-1912, inclusive
Tributes
Includes letters and poetry from former Harvard students; donations to Harvard Library's Milton Collection; press release and obituary., 1936-1969, inclusive
Writings
review by JBM in Harvard Divinity Bulletin: Herman Melville: The Tragedy of Mind by William Ellery Sedgwick., 1945, inclusive
Sub-subseries 2:Teaching Years at Harvard, 1932-1957
Language of Materials
Correspondence: Maud M. Arrosell, 1941
Language of Materials
Correspondence: Joe & Addie Davey, 1938
Language of Materials
Correspondence: Delmar Leighton, 1955
Language of Materials
Correspondence: A.P., 1947
Language of Materials
Correspondence: John M. Recht, 1952-1958
Language of Materials
Correspondence: Dan Tuite, 1952
Language of Materials
History of A Gray Lowery Day, Painting by George Inness, 1976
Language of Materials
Walter Channing Cabot Fellow Award, 1944
Language of Materials
Harvard Alumni Bulletin, 1974
Language of Materials
Harvard Library Bulletin, 1974
Language of Materials
Subseries C: New York University
General
Includes Certificate of Honorary Membership, Menorah Society; list of appointments and salary, Washington Square College (1920-1932); references and picture in "New York University Notebook," May, 1963 (50th anniversary of Washington Square College issue)., 1932 , 1963, inclusive
Administrative/Teaching Duties - Correspondence (folder, 1917-1926, inclusive
Administrative/Teaching Duties - Correspondence (folder 2)
Folders contain material relating to Biology Department administrative issue; English Department course listings, 1926-27, 1927-28;.development of a liberal arts music course, 1932; and general correspondence re Summer School courses taught by JBM, general teaching and administrative duties.
A.A. Beaumont, A.L. Bouton, Elmer E. Brown, James Buchman, Miguel de Capriles, Henry J. Fry, Jacob D. Goldstein, Ruth B. Howland, William Ford Manley, Alfred L. Mannhardt, Douglas A. Marsland, John Musser, Richard H. Bitter, John Roscoe Turner, Harold 0. Voorhis, Homer A. Watt. Correspondents upon resignation in 1932 (beyond above list) include Ralph Beals, Oscar Cargill, Ralph H. Cheney, Frank E. Crawford, Lloyd E. Dewey, Benjamin T. Fairchild, Fred I. Kent, Fiske Kimball, LeRoy E. Kimball, David Sarnofft Percy S. Strauss, 1926-1932, inclusive
Administrative/Teaching Duties - Reports/Statistical-Data Includes reports detailing Washington Square College student registration, age, religious affiliation-.-employment; Annual Report of Dean of Washington Square College to the Chancellor., 1919-1929, inclusive
Correspondence to Social Register Association, 1931
Language of Materials
Donations to New York University - Correspondence
Contains material relevant to donations from JBM and his family re improvements in Main Building, books for the Correspondents include LeRoy E. Kimball, R.V.D. Magoffin, H.O. Voorhis., 1923-1956, inclusive
Donations to New York University - Receipts, undated, inclusive
Honorary Degree
Memorabilia, includes tickets, commencement booklet., 1945, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
H. Thomas Austern, 1925-1953 , undated, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
B -
Correspondents include Jacob Bacals, Louis Baron, Bernard Barron, Harry Baum, Milton J. Billard, Samuel Bloustein (father of Francis Bloustein), Charles Bloom, George A. Borchard, Frank Brieff, Benjamin B. Butner., 1923-1953 , 1961, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
C -
Correspondents include Kenneth Carroad, Yale Julius Carroad, William Charvat, Ralph Cirillo, Harold B. Clemenko, Norman W. Cohen, Samuel Cohen, Jennie Crosby (mother of Lawrence Crosby)., ca.1920-1953, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Eugene Davidson -, 1925-1926, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Miguel A. de Capriles -, 1925-1962, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
E -
Correspondents include Harry Epstein, Lee Epstein, Julius Evans, 1926 , 1945-1974, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
F -
Correspondents inclu a Oscar H. Fidell, Jacob Fisher, Sylvia K. Fishman (wife of Meyer Fishman, both knew Munn)., 1923 , 1945-1951, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
G -
Includes correspondence from Munn . Correspondents include Morris Gelfand, Max Goldstone, Bernard Goodman., 1925-1926 , 1945-1960, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Jacob Goldstein -, 1923 , 1950-1962, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
George R. Gomperts -
Includes correspondence from Munn., 1925-1926 , 1948, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Fred Hess -, 1923-1926, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
H -
Correspondents include Jerrold Holmes, Richard Hyman., 1920-1926, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
I-J -
Correspondents include Benjamin Jack, Nathaniel Janes, Irving Jurow., 1920-1971, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Isidore S. Immerman -, 1926-1962, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Murray Israel -
(1920's). Includes article on arteriosclerosis by M. Israel published by the Vascular Research Foundation, 1949; Annual Review, of Vascular Research Foundation memorial issue dedicated to JBM, 1967-68; correspondence from Mrs. Israel., 1949-1968, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Nathaniel Jackson -, 1923-1925, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
K-L -
Includes correspondence from Munn. Correspondents include Jacob Keppler, A1 Klotz, Harry Knodue, Charles Krevisky, Victor Lehman, Hyman Lehon, Morris B. Lichtenstein, Terry Mangin Logan, Robert Lustgarten,, 1924-1966, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Manfred B. Lee (one-half of "Ellery Queen")
Includes correspondence from Munn and letter from Mrs. Lee to Mrs. Munn (1974)., 1926-1974, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
M-N -
Correspondents include James Mandel, Lester Moledezkyp Francis Nance., 1925-1974, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Charles Norman -
Correspondence, includes poetry - April, 1925-May, 1943 Correspondence, includes poetry - March, 1944-Aug, 1966; n.d. Poetry - n.d., undated , 1925-1966, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
P -
Includes correspondence from Munn, . Correspondents include James C. Paradise, Louis Pincus, Meyer Poses, Morris Pottish., 1925-1956, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Morris Ploscowe -
Includes correspondence from Munn., ca.1920-1953, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
R -
Correspondents include Adolph Raboff, Jacob Rabkin, John C. Roberts, David H. Ross., 1922-1953, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Charles Rosenblum -
Includes correspondence from Munn., 1924-1953, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
S -
Includes correspondence from Munn. Correspondents include Phillip B. Sahn, Lester Samelson, George Saslow, Harry Schreck, Howard Schwarzel, Harold R. Shapiro, Victor Shapiro, Harry W. Shulsky (Starr), Abraham Smith, Joseph Smolack., ca.1920-1961, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
U-V-W -
Includes-correspondence-from Munn* Correspondents include Samson Ullman, Jr., Henry Volksening, Herman J. Wechsler, Benjamin Weinstein, Benjamin Wiesel., 1926-1949, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence with:
Z -
Includes correspondence from Munn. Correspondents include Louis Zeidberg, Benjamin Ziegler, Emmanuel Ziegler., ca.1920-1958, inclusive
Munn Students - Correspondence Relating to
Includes academic support and medical assistance provides by JBM. Correspondents include J.W. Barlow, Dugald E.S. Brown, Morton C. Campbell, Roscoe Pound, Alfred R. Starr., 1923-1929, inclusive
Munn Students - Schedule A Fund - Memoranda
Includes lists of students who received financial aid from JBM through the account "Schedule A", and Washington Square College Loan Fund listings, 1924-1925. Correspondents include LeRoy E. Kimball., 1923-1930, inclusive
Munn Students - Schedule A Fund - Receipts
, 1923-1930, inclusive
Munn Students - Receipts (not Schedule A Fund)
Includes medical bills; bills for clothing, books; transfer of funds., 1928-1930, inclusive
Munn Students - Printed Material
Includes articles about: Jacob D. Goldstein - University of Rochester newsletter, n. d. Charles Norman - The Villager, Jan. 29, 1948 George Wald - New York University Alumni News, Nov., 1967, 1948-1967, inclusive
Correspondence with Charles H. Webster, undated
Language of Materials
Correspondence with Leon Pressman, undated
Language of Materials
Music Appreciation Course -
Folders 42-43 contain suggested curriculum (no author); bibliographies and catalogs of music, records, and musical equipment; Carnegie Corporation, "Analysis of Grants in the Field of Music during the Period October 1, 1921- April 1, 1931." Folder 44 contains duplicates of materials in folders 42 and 43., 1930-1934, inclusive
Writings at Washington Square College
"The Washington Square College," drafted by JBM for Dean Roscoe Turner. Is a brief history of Washington Square College, 1915-1925 and includes Munn's analysis of Washington Square College as an urban college and the need for good pre-professional/liberal arts training., 1915-1925, inclusive
Washington Square College Bulletin
Notations by JBM, pp. 11-12., 1919-1920, inclusive
Post-Resignation - Correspondence (folder 1)
, 1932-1948, inclusive
Post-Resignation - Correspondence (folder 2)
Folders contain material relating to Harvard appointment in 1932; evaluation of JBM by H.A. Watt in 1933; New York University Honorary Degree, June, 1945; biography of Thomas Wolfe (unfinished?) by H.A. Watt and research for collection of Wolfe letters, 1946-1950; recommendations for open positions at New York University. Correspondents include Alexander Baltzly, A.A. Beaumont, Elmer E. Brown, Oscar Cargill, Bruce Carpenter, Henry A. Charipper, Harry Woodburn Chase, Walter W.S. Cook, Fred Johnson, James Mandell Douglas A. Marsland, Frank H. McClosky, Nelson McCombs, Thomas Clark Pollock, Harold 0. Voorhis, Mrs. H.A. Watt, Effie Watt (daughter),
Subseries D: Munn Farm
Correspondence
Correspondence with employees and a contractor., 1925-1926, inclusive
Visitors' Registers - "J.B.'s Prize Pigs", ca.1920, inclusive
Visitors' Registers - "Register"
The two registers contain names and addresses of students who spent summers at the Munn Farm. There are also casual notations., 1924-1930, inclusive
Cattle
Letter from JBM (September 1926) re transfer of cattle from estate of Fannie Munn Field., 1926, inclusive
Subseries E: Organizations (cont'd.)
First Presbyterian Church of New York City - Correspondence
Includes references to JBM's ordination as an elder. Correspondents include the Rev. George Alexander., 1891-1932, inclusive
First Presbyterian Church of New York City - George Alexander
Includes eulogy, no author; dedication booklet - Alexander Memorial Chapel; notations by JBM (for memorial plaque?)., 1930-1938, inclusive
Organizations - Correspondents
Includes membership correspondence; School Board No. 8 minutes and correspondence; correspondence re acquisition by Harvard Club of NYC of Henry James' music Library and financial support for graduates of New York City high schools at Harvard University; correspondence re Henry Sloan Coffin assuming presidency of Oratorio Society. Organizations include:
American Museum of Natural History
American Officers of the Great War
Club of Odd Volumes
Harvard Club of New York City
Helfenstein Chorister Institute, Inc.
Local School Board No. 8 (NYC)
Medieval Academy of America
National Educational Association
Oratorio Society of New York
Society of Mayflower Descendants: Correspondents include Henry Sloan Coffin, Henry James (letter of November 26, 1926)., 1919-1928, inclusive
Subseries F: Appointment Books
Appointment Books (folder 1), 1921-1926, inclusive
Appointment Books (folder 2)
Folders include JBM's 1921. academic schedule; appointments with students and faculty; e names and addresses of Munn Students., 1927-1930, inclusive
Subseries G: Writings
As a Child n.d.
Folder contains two pieces: scribbles, and a short, unaddressed thank-you note.
Notebooks - Black (folder 1), 1910-1915, inclusive
Notebooks - Green (folder 2)
Notebooks contain JBM's introspective memoirs about his Harvard student and post-student years; army experiences; decision to remain in New York City in 1919; early reaction to students of Washington Square College; poetry, short story. (xerox copies - originals in Harvard University Archives, 1913-1921, inclusive
Handwritten Notes
Includes eulogy (read by JBM?) at his mother's grave; calendar note entered day John Pixley Munn died., 1926-1931, inclusive
Handwritten Notes
Two notes written by JBM found by Mrs. Munn in his desk (Aug.) and wallet (Sept,) With envelopes containing Mrs. Munns notations., undated, inclusive
Subseries H: Legal Papers
Legal Papers
Includes legacy to JBM under will of his mother, Martha Buell Plum Munn: correspondence, list of share, charts of financial data; contract with Scott Foresman & Company re Ideas & Forms in English and American Literature written with Homer A. Watt; miscellaneous items: notarial certificate of protest re unpaid check; affidavit re medical discharge of private in JBM's army unit. :, 1926-1927, inclusive
Subseries I: Newspaper Clippings
Newspaper Clippings
Includes JBM's views on Washington Square College as an urban college; appointment to Harvard in 1932; marriage to Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn; appointment as Chairman of Harvard English Department in 1934; gift to Gates Presbyterian Church in 1935; New York University Honorary Degree in 1945; announcement of James Buell Munn Scholarship Fund, New York University in 1963; obituaries, 1967, 1928-1967, inclusive
Subseries J: Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn
General Correspondence
Correspondents include Alexander Baltzly, Bruce Carpenter Jacob D. Goldstein, JBM., 1942-1975, inclusive
J.B. Munn Library/Gift of Mrs. Munn to Boston Public Library
Correspondence
Correspondents include Walter Grossman, Philip J. McNiff, 1968-1972, inclusive
J.B. Munn Library/Gift of Mrs. Munn to Boston Public Library - Newspaper Clippings Descriptive material about the Boston Public Library, 1973, inclusive
Series III: The James Buell Munn Scholarship Fund
Correspondence:
Includes correspondence regarding establishment and funding of the Scholarship Fund; 1965 list of alumni pledges and payments. Correspondents include Louis Baron, A.A. Beaumont, William E. Buckler, Miguel A. de Capriles, Jacob D. Goldstein, James M. Hester, Irving H. Jurow, Ruth C.H. Munn*, 1962-1979, inclusive
Lists:
Includes lists of former Munn Students sent by Mrs. Munn to Jacob Do Goldstein., 1963-1964, inclusive
Financial Reports, Steering Committee, Descriptive Material:
Minutes of steering committee meetings; list of pledges; Treasurer's Report; press release announcing JBM Scholarship Fund; description written for circular letter; "A Report on the First Five Years of the James B. Munn Scholarship Fund,", 1963-1968, inclusive
Memoirs:
Contributors include A.A. Beaumont, Irwin D. Davidson, Erwin N. Griswold, Hyman Lehon, Sidney Hook., 1963, inclusive
Series IV: Miscellaneous
Inventories:
Inventories of materials in the James Buell Munn Estate Collection brought to the New York University Archives by Jacob D. Goldstein., 1978, inclusive
Series V: Photographs/Artifact
Subseries A: James Buell Munn
As a young boy, on Munn Farm, as a young man, sophomore year at Harvard University. See also: oversized folder--301st Officers' Corps, 1918; Munn Farm, folders #1 and 2., 1905-1925, inclusive
James Buell Munn, 1900-1930
Language of Materials
Subseries B: Munn Family.
Group Photographs:
Includes Mrs. Elias Plum; John P. Munn; Mrs, John P. Aunn; JBM and Aristine P. Munn; Fannie hunn Field; Harold Pixley; Munn-Pixley. See also: oversized folder: JBM; Aristine P. Munn; John P. Munn., 1887-1925, inclusive
Aristine Pixley Munn (Mrs. Edwin G. Munn) n.d.; in middle age., undated, inclusive
John Pixley Munn n.d. As a young boy; a young man; in old age.
See also: oversized folder -, undated, inclusive
Martha Buell Plum Munn (Mrs. John P. Munn) n. d. As a young woman. See also: oversized folder, undated, inclusive
Aristine Pixley Munn 1903; n.d. As a young woman. See also: oversized folder--n.d.; as a young woman., 1903, inclusive
Fannie Munn Field At the Munn Farm. See also: Munn Farm, folder #1., 1924-1925, inclusive
Aristine Pixley Munn and James Buell Munn, undated
Language of Materials
Group Photographs, 1890s-1900s
Language of Materials
John Pixley Munn
Language of Materials
Martha Buell Plum Munn, undated
Language of Materials
Aristine Pixley Munn
Language of Materials
Fannie Munn Field at the Farm, undated
Language of Materials
Negatives, Undated
Language of Materials
Subseries C: Munn Family Associates.
Reverend George Alexander, n.d. Helen Gould, n.d. (with two unidentified Gould cousins, with the Munn family) Jay Gould, n.d. Higgins and Hughs families, n.d. (with Munn family) Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Putzel (Munn family doctor), nod. (with Munn family and Dr. Charles Recht, Aristine P. Munn's husband). Maude Russell (Dr. John P. Munn and Mrs. Munn's nurse), 1925-1927 at the Munn Farm. Russell Sage, n.d. Mr. and Mrs. H. Robinson Shipherd, 1912 (with Munn Family), 1912-1927, inclusive
Subseries D: New York University - Associates
Chancellor Henry M. MacCracken family, n.d. (with Munn family on the University Heights campus) Homer A. Watt, 1947 .
Subseries E: Munn Students - at the Munn Farm
Includes: Louis Baron, Benjamin Bezarsky, Francis Bloustein, William Charvot, Ralph Cirillo, Harold B. Clemenko, Norman Cohen, Miguel de Capriles, Harry Epstein,, Julius Evans, Lester Feinstein, Jacob D. Goldstein, Max Goldstone, George Compertz, Bernard Goodman, Milton Herman, Frank Hess, Ben W. Holler, Murray Israel, Nathaniel H. Jackson, Irving H. Jurow, Charles Krevisky,, 1924-1927, inclusive
Otto Losa, Lester Morely (Maledezky), Francis Nance, Lester Platt, Meyer Poses, Morris Pottish, Jacob Rabkin, Charles Rosenblum, Lester Samuelson, Victor Shapiro, Harry Shulsky (Starr), Max Som (Somme), Louis Zeidberg, Benjamin Zeigler., 1924-1927, inclusive
Includes: Louis Baron, Benjamin Bezarsky, Francis Bloustein, Morris Gelfand, Murray Israel, Nathaniel H. Jackson, Otto Los a., Lester Morley (Maledezky), Harry Shulsky (Starr), Max Som (Somme), 1928, inclusive
Identification of photographs of the Munn Students at the Munn Farm by Dr. Jacob D. Goldstein. Munn Farm, 1979, inclusive
Munn Students at Munn Farm, undated
Language of Materials
Subseries F: Munn Farm
Includes: scenes of the farm and photographs of farm employees (Mr. and Mrs. Albert Verhage, rielen Verhage). There are photographs of the farm's manage, Simon West, and other unidentified farm employees in several of the group photographs of the Munn Students (Subseries El, folder l)., 1924-1928, inclusive
Munn Farm
Language of Materials
Subseries G: Artifact/Mann Farm
Silver cup given by Munn Students ("Prize Figs") to Fannie Munn Field, 1924.
Daguerreotypes:
1. Martha Maria Buell Plum (Mrs. Elias Plum) with Martha Buell Plum Munn (Mrs. John T. Munn) as a small girl; n.d.
2. Martha Buell Plum Munn as a young woman; n.d.
3. John P. Munn as a young boy; n.d., 1924, inclusive
Series VI: Research Material
Language of Materials
Research Binder (1of 2), undated
Language of Materials
Research Binder (2 of 2), undated
Language of Materials
Physiologia Epicuro-Gassendo-Charltoniana, undated
Language of Materials
General Note
The origin of these photocopies is unknown.