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Preliminary Inventory of the Richard A. Preston Papers, ca. 1745 - 1987 (bulk 1956-1987)

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Descriptive Summary

Title
Richard A. Preston Papers, ca. 1745 - 1987 (bulk 1956-1987)
Creator
Preston, Richard Arthur.
Extent
36.0 Linear Feet,
36000 Items
Repository
University Archives, Duke University
Abstract
Richard Arthur Preston (b. 1910), a leading British Commonwealth scholar, was appointed the William K. Boyd Professor of History at Duke University in 1965. Major subjects of the collection include Canadian history, especially military history; the Department of History; and the Canadian Studies program at Duke. Materials include correspondence, reports, course syllabi, printed matter, manuscripts, clippings, photographs, and other papers.
Language
English.
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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
For a period of twenty-five years from the origin of the material, permission in writing from the office of origin and the University Archivist is required for use. After twenty-five years, records that have been processed may be consulted with the permission of the University Archivist.
In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, Duke University permits students to inspect their education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records.
Records, such as search committee files or others pertaining to employment where individuals are identified, are closed for 70 years.
Portions of these materials are restricted by donor request.
In off-site storage; 24 hours advance notice is required for use.
Use Restrictions
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Richard A. Preston Papers, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
The Richard A. Preston Papers was received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1980 (A80-225), 1981 (A81-60), 1983 (A83-96), 1985 (A85-65), and 1988 (A88-0048).
Processing Information
Processed by Linda Daniel
Completed March, 2004
This collection is partially processed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.
Brittle newspaper clippings will need to be processed before use. Please consult University Archives staff.
De-accessioned: Photocopies of two maps from Box 14; 30 transparencies detailing troop movements at Gettysburg and 16 transparencies of troop movements at Chancellorsville from Box 15.
Encoded by Linda Daniel, March 2004
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
            

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Biographical Note

Born in 1910, in Middlesbrough, England, Preston was educated at the University of Leeds (B.A., 1931; M.A., 1932; diploma in education, 1933) and Yale University (Ph.D, 1936). Preston was appointed lecturer at the University of Toronto (1936); Assistant Lecturer at the University College, Cardiff (1938-1940); a member of the Royal Air Force (1940-1945), Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto (1945), Professor of History in the Royal Military College of Canada (1948-1965), and the William K. Boyd Professor of History at Duke University (1965-1980). Preston was the director of the Canadian Studies Program at Duke University (1973-1979).

Preston was a prolific writer of scholarly articles and books. His works include:

  • Gorges of Plymouth Fort: A Life of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Captain of Plymouth Fort, Governor of New England, and Lord of the Province of Maine, University of Toronto Press, 1953;
  • Kingston before the War of 1812, Champlain Society, 1958;
  • Canada in World Affairs, 1959-61, Oxford University Press, 1965;
  • Canada and the "Imperial Defense" : A Study of the Origins of the British Commonwealth's Defense Organization, 1867-1919, Duke University Press, 1967.
  • Canada's RMC: A History of the Royal Military College, University of Toronto Press, 1969, new edition, 1984;
  • The Defence of the Undefended Border: Planning for War in North America, 1867-1939, McGill-Queen's University Press, 1977;
  • The Squat Pyramid: Canadian Studies in the United States, Center for International Studies, Duke University, 1980;
  • Perspectives in the History of Military Education and Professionalism, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1980
  • To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College Since the Second World War, University of Ottawa Press (Ottawa, Canada), 1991.

    • Preston received a number of awards during his career. He received the Commonwealth Fund fellowship (1933-36); Nuffield summer travel award (1954); Duke University summer research scholarship (1957); City of Kingston Achievement Award (1957) for his television series and publications on the history of Kingston; Canada Council senior fellowship (1963-64); Social Science Research Council grant (1963); Canada Confederation Medal (1967); Guggenheim fellowship (1971-72); Donner Memorial Medal (1975) for promotion of Canadian studies in the United States; LL.D., Royal Military College of Canada (1977); and the Northern Telecom Gold Medal (1983) for the promotion of Canadian studies. Preston was named honorary professor of history, Royal Military College of Canada (1973).

    Preston married Marjorie Ethel Fishwick in 1939, and had three children.

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    Collection Overview

    Collection includes correspondence, reports, course syllabi, printed matter, drafts, research notes, manuscripts, lectures, photographs, clippings, maps, and other papers.
    The arrangement of the collection is by accession dates. These additions follow the order given in the collection file and are not presented in chronological order.
    The 1981 Additions (A81-60) include extensive correspondence, numerous drafts and published articles and reviews, photocopies of primary sources, some research notes, and administrative papers dealing with the Duke University History Dept. The chief subjects include Canadian military affairs, general military history, military education, and Canadian Studies as a historical subdiscipline. There is a folder list for this addition that is part of the collection file.
    The 1980 Additions includes printed material, correspondence, studies, reports, articles, drafts, proofs, outlines, lectures, syllabi, clippings, photos, maps, and other papers. Major subjects include Canadian history, especially military history and current military and defense concerns. The first major portion of this Addition is made up of correspondence about Preston's own research and writings of other scholars. Other materials include Preston's research notes; photocopies and typed copies of historical documents; and guides to historical collections. There are also administrative files about the History Dept. at Duke, and the Canadian Studies Program. There is a small amount of material about the alumni of the Royal Military College in Canada, where Preston taught for a number of years. The second major portion of this Addition focuses on various aspects of modern Canadian defense and external security, Canada and NATO, relations with the British Commonwealth, and Canadian domestic affairs.
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    Subject Headings

    These and related materials may be accessed under the following subject headings in the Duke University Libraries online catalog.
    • Canada. Canadian Army--History.
    • Canada--History.
    • Canada--History, Military.
    • Canada--Study and teaching.
    • Duke University.
    • Duke University. Dept. of History.
    • Duke University. Dept. of History--Faculty.
    • Duke University--Faculty.
    • History--Study and teaching (Higher)
    • Preston, Richard Arthur.
    • Clippings.
    • Photographs.
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    Related Material

    Canadian Studies Center Records.
    University Archives, Duke University.

    Commonwealth Studies Center Records.
    University Archives, Duke University.

    History Department Records.
    University Archives, Duke University.

    Stevenson Canadiana.
    Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.

    List of Series in Collection
    1981 Additions (A81-60), ca. 1745-1980
    1980 Additions (A80-225), 1886-1979 (bulk 1956-1979)
    1985 Additions (A85-65)
    1988 Additions (A88-0048)
    1983 Additions (A83-96)
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    Preliminary Description of the Collection

    1981 Additions (A81-60), ca. 1745-1980

    Includes extensive correspondence, numerous drafts and published articles and reviews, photocopies of primary sources, some research notes, and administrative papers dealing with the Duke University History Dept. The chief subjects include Canadian military affairs, general military history, military education, and Canadian Studies as a historical subdiscipline.
    There is a folder list for the 1981 addition that is part of the collection file. Please consult University Archives staff.
    Box 1
    Duke University: General Administrative,1948-1980
    Contains materials on appointments, commonwealth studies, university policies, graduate students, the History Department, letters of recommendation, the military history program at Duke, oral examinations, retirement, Shell fellowships, testimonials, the University Centers for Rational Alternatives, visitors, and grant proposals.
    There are a small number of letters in the folder entitled "Testimonials" that are dated before 1965 and would pre-date Preston's arrival at Duke University.
    Some material in this box is RESTRICTED. Please consult University Archives staff.
    Box 2
    Organizations, 1951-1973
    Includes correspondence, newsletters, brochures, and printed material from historical societies and other organizations to which Preston belonged.
    Box 3
    Canadian Studies, 1965-1980
    Includes materials on conferences, seminars, lectures, proposals, reports, syllabi, and other printed material about the Duke Canadian Studies program and other non-Duke programs.
    Lectures, Panels, Symposia, Seminars, and Conferences, 1960-1979
    Includes printed material, speeches, correspondence, and brochures.
    Box 4

    Correspondence, 1951-1980
    Non-Student Correspondence, A -- Z, 1951-1980
    Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by last name.

    Student Correspondence, 1965-1980
    Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by last name.
    Some material in these boxes is RESTRICTED: Student Records. Please consult University Archives staff.
    A -- Dendy
    Box 5
    Dennis -- Wright

    Publications Correspondence
    Includes correspondence concerning Preston's ideas, drafts, and printed material used to write speeches and articles for publication. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by title of publication or by topic. Some folders include manuscripts.
    Box 6
    1936-1980
    Box 7-8
    1948-1979
    Box 9
    Reviews, Enquiries, Lectures, Research Notes, and Printed Material, 1948-1980
    Includes reviews by Preston or written about Preston's work (1961-1980), historical enquiries (1956-1976), lectures (1952-1979), research notes and printed material (1948-1976).
    Box 10
    Primary Sources, ca. 1745-ca. 1930
    Includes research notes, reports, photocopies, indices, lists, bibliographies, articles, maps, manuscripts, and correspondence (ca. 1964-1976).
    Box 11
    War of 1812, 1963-1975
    Preston researched the War of 1812, with the thought of writing a book on this topic for the Macmillan Wars of the United States series. Includes two boxes of notecards detailing Preston's bibliographical references, drafts, photocopies, correspondence, and contract.
    Box 12
    Writings, 1937-1971
    Includes drafts of papers, articles, and reviews written by Preston. Some are unpublished.
    Box 13
    Military Education, 1949-1977
    Includes brochures, training manuals, correspondence, research notes, reports and meeting agendas.
    Box 14
    Military History, 1945-1973
    Includes notes, maps, course outlines, lectures, and printed material about Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, the U.S. Civil War, the Battle of El Alamein, and other battles and aspects of military history.
    Box 15
    Research Material
    Includes printed material, maps, photograph of the Royal Military College, correspondence, and other materials.

    1980 Additions (A80-225), 1886-1979 (bulk 1956-1979)

    Includes printed material, correspondence, studies, reports, articles, drafts, proofs, outlines, lectures, syllabi, clippings, photos, maps, and other papers. Major subjects include Canadian history, especially military history and current military and defense concerns. The first major portion of this Addition is made up of correspondence about Preston's own research and writings of other scholars. Other materials include Preston's research notes; photocopies and typed copies of historical documents; and guides to historical collections. There are also administrative files about the History Dept. at Duke, and the Canadian Studies Program. There is a small amount of material about the alumni of the Royal Military College in Canada, where Preston taught for a number of years. The second major portion of this Addition focuses on various aspects of modern Canadian defense and external security, Canada and NATO, relations with the British Commonwealth, and Canadian domestic affairs.
    Of special interest is a file containing clippings and correspondence about an anti-American article which appeared in a Canadian newspaper.
    Box 16
    Defense of the Commonwealth
    Includes scholarly papers, reports, correspondence, news articles, notes, and government publications.
    Box 17
    Speech and Lecture Files
    Includes notes, manuscripts, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and reports on a wide variety of topics that concern Canadian military history, politics, nationalism, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and others. Of special interest is a file containing clippings and correspondence about an anti-American article which appeared in a Canadian newspaper.
    Box 18

    Duke University
    History Department
    Includes notes and course syllabi for courses taught by Preston.
    Visiting Speakers
    Includes information about individual speakers invited by Preston to speak on campus.
    Workshops and Seminars
    Summer Correspondence, 1976-1978
    Box 19
    Conferences, Meeting, and Symposium Files
    Printed Material and Correspondence
    Includes correspondence, newsletters, notes, scholarly papers, articles from the Army Quarterly and the Canadian Defense Quarterly, and copies of maps.
    This group of material was placed in six folders.

    1985 Additions (A85-65)

    Box 20
    Sabbatical Projects and Travels, ca. 1975-ca. 1985
    Includes mostly papers on Preston's sabbatical projects and travels for a study of the teachings of Canadian history in U.S. schools. Also includes grant applications, reviews, and evaluations.
    The folder on Kessinger is RESTRICTED: Personnel records.
    Canada and Canadian Studies, ca. 1975-1985
    Includes mostly Canada-related correspondence, Canadian Studies at Duke, and Canadian Studies in the U.S. Contains one folder on the speaker, Frances Halpenny, who spoke at the 1985 Friends of the Library dinner.
    Canadian Military, ca. 1956-ca. 1980s
    Includes mostly correspondence and drafts of articles concerning Canadian military history and modern defense matters.

    1988 Additions (A88-0048)

    Canada and Canadian Studies
    Includes correspondence, reprints, notes, forms, and other printed material concerning the Canadian Studies program at Duke and at other schools.
    Duke University
    Includes correspondence about faculty appointments and copies of the "Duke University Letters," 1981-1982, a publication issued from the Office of the President.

    1983 Additions (A83-96)

    Box 22
    Administrative Papers, 1936-1980
    Includes correspondence and printed material about appointments at Duke, grant and job applications, job offers, sabbaticals, salary, and retirement.
    Some of this material is RESTRICTED. Please consult University Archives staff.
    Canadian Studies, 1976-1983
    Includes correspondence and printed matter about workshops and conferences; Duke Canadian and Quebec Studies; materials for Canadian Studies in the U.S.; the N.C. Social Studies Council; and President Carter's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies.
    Box 23
    "The Squat Pyramid," 1970-1982
    Contains survey materials on Canadian studies in the U.S. published as "The Squat Pyramid," in 1980, by the Center for International Studies at Duke. Includes correspondence, itineraries, schedules, questionnaires, notes, and evaluations concerning visits to college campuses to survey Canadian Studies programs in the U.S., and copies of Canadian Embassy files on a Canadian Studies survey conducted in the U.S. in 1976.