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Preliminary Inventory of the Robert S. Smith Papers, 1930 - 1969

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Descriptive Summary

Title
Robert S. Smith Papers, 1930 - 1969.
Creator
Smith, Robert S. (Robert Sidney), 1904-1969.
Extent
11 Linear Feet,
11,000 Items
Repository
University Archives, Duke University
Abstract
Robert Sidney Smith (1904-1969) taught economics at Duke University for over 35 years. His research focused on Latin American and South American economic thought. The collection includes correspondence, reprints, manuscripts, notes, microfilms, and other published materials. Major topics include Latin American and South American economic thought and policy, the Dan River Textile Mills in Danville, Virginia, and the Department of Economics and Business Administration at Duke University.
Languages
English, and Spanish or Castilian.
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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Unprocessed materials are closed pending processing.
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], Robert S. Smith Papers, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
The Robert S. Smith Papers were received by the University Archives as a gift in 1968 (A68-106); 1972 (A72-50); and 1984 (A84-12).
Processing Information
This collection is unprocessed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.
Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, July 14, 2003
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
            

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Biographical Note

Robert Sidney Smith was born on June 13, 1904, in Waterbury, Connecticut. He received his A.B. and A.M. degrees from Amherst College and his Ph.D. from Duke University in 1932. He served as a professor of economics from 1932 until his death in 1969. Smith's research focused on Latin American economic history and the history of Hispanic economic thought. He was named a James B. Duke Professor in 1964.

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Collection Overview

Collection includes correspondence, reprints, manuscripts, notes, microfilms, and other published materials related to Smith's professional career as an educator and economist. Much of the material is in Spanish, reflecting his activities and research interests in Latin American economic history and development, and the history of Hispanic economic thought. Other matters treated in the files concern the Dan River Textile Mills in Danville, Virginia, Smith's work as a government consultant, and as a teacher of economics in South America and Latin America., and affairs of the Department of Economics and Business Administration. There is some material related to the courses he taught, and to personal affairs and writings.
The collection is only preliminarily organized. The first six boxes contain correspondence and other materials in Spanish and English. The five remaining boxes include card files of 4" x 6" cards with notes (in Spanish) on Spanish and Central and South American economic history. They also include bibliography cards, and oversized machine-made copies of manuscript volumes and papers from the Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla, concerning the indigo trade in Guatemala, and, from an unknown source, similar material concerning economic conditions in Mexico from the late 18th to early 19th centuries. Also, 2 card files of 4" x 6" cards, notes on Dan River Textile Mill operations and labor conditions, ca. 1900-1940, and approximately 20 microfilms and filmstrips from U.S., Latin American, and Spanish repositories.

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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.
  • Dan River Mills Inc.
  • Duke University. Dept. of Economics.
  • Economic history.
  • Latin America--Economic policy.
  • Microfilms.
  • Smith, Robert S. (Robert Sidney), 1904-1969.
  • South America--Economic policy.
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Related Material

Dept. of Economics Records
Duke University Archives

List of Series in Collection
Container List
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Preliminary Description of Collection

Container List

Box 1

Correspondence and general files
Box 2

Correspondence and general files
Box 3

Correspondence and general files; reviews
Box 4

Correspondence and writings
Box 5

Research and course materials
Box 6

Dan River Mills materials
Box 7

Notes, Lima; Lima; Consulado de Lima; Peru-Guatemala
Box 8

Notes, AHMH-AN Chile; Sevilla-Burgos, Bilbao; Catalonia-M. Ages Hist. of Econ.-Sp.Econ., Pop. Vagos, etc.
Box 9

Notes, Seville Guild, c. 1500-1717; Barcelona, Sevilla, Cadiz, 1700; Libro del Consulado Laws; Mallorun, Valencia, Barcelona to 1800. Guild court
Box 10

Notes, Spain: Insurance, plagues, population, etc.; Notes and bibliography; Dan River Mills
Box 11

Oversize copies; bibliography, "Spanish Economic Thought Prior to 1776; microfilms