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Inventory of the Dale B. J. Randall Papers, 1940-2009

Abstract

Dale B.J. Randall taught in the English Dept. from 1957-1999 and in the Drama Program from 1991-1999.

The collection includes material related to both the English Dept. and the Drama Program as well as Randall's research. Types of material include correspondence, flyers, programs, clippings and articles. The collection ranges in date from 1940-2009.

Descriptive Summary

Repository
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator
Randall, Dale B. J.
Title
Dale B. J. Randall Papers, 1940-2009
Language of Material
English
Extent
20.5 Linear Feet, approx. 14,000 Items
Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Series Quick Links

Collection Overview

The largest part of the collection contains research material pertaining to Lord North, Joseph Conrad and Warrington Dawson, about whom Randall was writing books. His research files include xerox copies, slides, illustrations and microfilm. There are materials from Randall's time in the Dept. of English, particularly the controversy which occurred in the late 1980s-early 1990s. The controversy boiled down to a debate between traditionalists and revisionists. It made national headlines at the time, and Randall refers to it as "The Troubles." There are also syllabi, examination questions, and non-graded student papers. Additionally, the collection contains material from Randall's time as Chair of the Drama Program and includes correspondence, programs, flyers, and clippings.

Randall's papers also include a copy of the written sexual harassment complaint a student made against an English professor in 1981. This folder is restricted for 70 years.

Both University Archives and Special Collections received material from Professor Randall. The accessions have been merged into the finding aid presented here.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

warning Access Restrictions

Portions of the collection are restricted. Restricted items are noted in the container list.

In addition, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

warning Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Contents of the Collection

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Includes correspondence between Randall and others who had information on Warrington Dawson and Joseph Conrad. There are also photographs that were to be included in Randall's book, as well as his notes and an original letter from Dawson to Conrad.

Conrad-Dawson, No. I, Oct. 1963-Aug. 1964
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. I, Oct. 1963-Aug. 1964
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. II, Jul. 1964-Sep. 1964
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. III, Sep. 1964-Feb.1965
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. IV, Jan. 1965-Jun. 1965
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. V, Jun. 1965-May 1966
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. VI, May 1966-Jul. 1967
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. VII, Aug. 1967-Sep. 1968
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. VIII, Sep. 1968-Nov. 1968
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. IX, Dec. 1968-Apr. 1969
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. X, Apr. 1969-Jun. 1969
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. XI, Jul. 1969-Aug. 1969
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. XII, Aug. 1969-Nov. 1969
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. XIII, Nov. 1969-Apr. 1970
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. XIV, Mar. 1970-May 1972
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. XV, Jan. 1973-Aug. 1974
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, No. XVI, Nov. 1974-Sep. 1985
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, (A), Duplicated Letters
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, (B), Miscellaneous Duplicated Documents
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, (C), Chronology of Events
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, (D), Interviews
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, (E), Illustrations and Dawson Letter
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, Photographs, No. I
Box 1
Conrad-Dawson, Photographs, No. II
Box 1

Includes research material pertaining to Lord North, about whom Randall was writing a book. Types of material include slides, illustrations, and microfilm.

Research Material, Undated, (6 Folders)
Box 2
Slides
Box 2
Illustration, Bodleian Library
Box 2
Photocopies, Bates College
Box 2
Dictionary of National Biography (1999)
Box 2
Dudley North’s Will (1675)
Box 2
Microfilm (1) Alphonsus Houghton Library
Box 2
Microfilm (2) Light in the Way to Paradise
Box 2
Microfilm (3) A Forest of Varieties
Box 2
North Family: Biographical Binder (3 Folders)
Box 3
North Miscellaneous Binder (2 Folders)
Box 3
Bodleian Library Photographs
Box 4 (oversize)
Miscellaneous Research Materials
Box 4 (oversize)

Includes material from Randall's time in the Dept. of English, with files on the Folger Institute, the Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Stanley Fish.

Duke University Committee on Medieval and Renaissance Studies, 1987-1994 (2 folders) [Committee records are restricted for 25 years from date of origin.]
Box 5
Duke-Folger Liaison, 1987-1988
Box 5
Folger Fellowship, 1985-1986
Box 5
Folger Institute, circa late 1970s-1980s
Box 5
Folger Institute, circa 1980s (2 folders)
Box 5
Folger Statement, 1984-1987
Box 5
Proceedings, 1976-1982
Box 5
Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, 1978-1980
Box 5
Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies: Printed Matter, 1976, 1979
Box 5
Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies: Enrollment and Report, 1976
Box 5
Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies: Correspondence, 1976-1979
Box 5
Southeastern Renaissance Conference, 1979-2002 (2 folders)
Box 5
Southeastern Renaissance Conference, 1988-1994 (2 folders)
Box 5
Southeastern Renaissance Conference, 1987-1994 (2 folders)
Box 5
Stanley Fish, Skip Gates: Clippings and Articles about the English Dept., 1988-1992 (2 folders)
Box 5
"The Troubles," 1988 (2 folders)
Box 5

Includes correspondence, programs, flyers and clippings from Randall's time in the Drama Program.

Emails, 1999-2000
Box 5
Emails, 1999-2000
Box 6
Emails, 2001
Box 6
Emails and Drama-related miscellany, 2001
Box 6
Ball, David, and Drama Faculty, circa early 1990s
Box 6
The Changeling, 2000-2001 (2 folders)
Box 6
The Changeling, 2001
Box 6
Drama Program, 1990-1994
Box 6
Drama Program, 1992-1996 (2 folders)
Box 6
Drama Program, 1993
Box 6
Drama Director Search and Miscellany, circa 1990s
Box 6
Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation, 2000-2001
Box 6
Simons, Diane, 1992-1993
Box 6
World Premieres Festival, 1992
Box 6
World Premieres, 1994-1995 (2 folders)
Box 6

Includes material from Randall's time in both the Dept. of English and the Drama Program, such as syllabi and examination questions as well a file on the first sexual harassment suit at Duke, which is restricted for 70 years.

American Philosophical Society, 1985-1986
Box 6
Basset Celebration, 1993, 2003
Box 6
Clippings, 1989, 1998-2000
Box 6
Correspondence, circa 1999-2006
Box 6
Crisis at Trinity, 2003
Box 6
Early Fiction: Syllabi, 1963-1990 (incomplete)
Box 6
Edmond Miller, 1987-1989, 1996
Box 6
Emails, 2003-2006
Box 6
English Dept., 1962, 1977, 1998
Box 6
English Dept. Staff Lists, circa 1965-1994
Box 6
English Dept. Writing Committee, 1982-1983 [Committee records are restricted for 25 years from date of origin]
Box 6
English 21s: Studies in the Novel, circa 1980s-1994
Box 7
Executive Committee of the Arts and Sciences Council, 2005-2006 (2 folders) [Committee records are restricted for 25 years from date of origin]
Box 7
Few Federation, 1980-1981
Box 7
Freshman English, 1958-1959
Box 7
Joseph A. Porter, 1983-1988
Box 7
Jim Applewhite, 1988
Box 7
Kenny Williams, 1993, 2004
Box 7
Land Resources, 1987-1988
Box 7
Last Train to Nibroc, 2000
Box 7
Laura Kay Fleming: Clippings, 1982, 1985
Box 7
Magdalen College, 1984-1985
Box 7
Miscellany, 1984, 1994, 2004
Box 7
Posing Naked, 1998
Box 7
Printed Matter, circa 1960-2005 (incomplete)
Box 7
Randy's House, 1995
Box 7
Robert Frost, circa 1977-1985
Box 7
Renaissance Prelims, 1940-1941, 2004-2006
Box 7
Sexual Harassment Suit at Duke, 1981 RESTRICTED until 2051
Box 7
Ten Poems by Dale Randall, 1988
Box 7

Includes more files pertaining the Dept. of English and Drama Program as well as research files. Of note are ungraded student papers. The Dearlove Case folder is restricted as it contains personnel information, and one folder with graded student papers is also restricted per FERPA.

Correspondence and Emails, 1958-1959, 1978, 1985, 2007-2008
Box 7
Dearlove Case, 1981, 1983 RESTRICTED until 2053
Box 7
Dudley North: Correspondence, No. 1, 1969-1970
Box 7
Duke Drama, 1992
Box 7
English Dept.: Student essays, Syllabi, Exam Questions, circa 1961-2002 (incomplete)
Box 7
Euripides' Helen, translated by Peter Burian, 1999 July
Box 7
Founders' Day Banquet Speech, 2003 April 25
Box 7
George Clarke, 1998-1999, undated
Box 7
The Golden Tapestry, 1963-1964
Box 7
Graded Student Papers, 1966, 1979 RESTRICTED PER FERPA
Box 7
Herbert Berry, circa 1981-1986
Box 7
North Project, circa 1967, 1977
Box 7
North Project: Xerox copies, 1979
Box 7
Papers (student produced, no visible grades): written for English 216, 1966 Spring
Box 7
Patient on the Table, 1992
Box 7
Printed Matter: Flyers, Reviews, Playbills, etc., circa 1980s-2007 (2 folders)
Box 7
Miscellaneous publications and oversize material, including a movie poster for Much Ado About Nothing
Box 8

Files and research materials collected from Randall's office.

This accession is closed until processing

Office files
Box 9-12

Includes research materials relating to Randall's research and writings on Robert James Coffey.

Coffey correspondence (2 folders)
Box 13
Coffey pictures
Box 13
Robert J. Coffey First Scrapbook
Box 13
Robert J. Coffey Transcript of First Scrapbook
Box 13
Robert J. Coffey Second Scrapbook
Box 13
Robert J. Coffey Transcript of Second Scrapbook
Box 13
Robert J. Coffey Third Scrapbook
Box 13
Robert James Coffey (1839-1910): An Unsung Pennsylvanian Soldier and Writer, published in Cumberland County History, volume 21 (2004), pages 3-15
Box 13
'Oh! Yankee Soldier, Spare My Home!': The Wartime Rhymes of Robert James Coffey (1839-1910), published in Studies in American Culture, 31.1 (October, 2008), pages 1-31
Box 13

This accession is closed until processing. May include restricted material.

Loose materials, printed material, Arts & Sciences Council files, 1958 dissertation, correspondence, research files
Box 14-15

Correspondence, family history and genealogy materials, and some Duke departmental materials.

This accession needs to be reviewed before patrons can access it because it may include restricted material. Contact Rubenstein Library in advance before visiting to use this material.

Correspondence, 1951-1954
(5 folders)
Box 16
Correspondence, 1957-1971
Box 16
Correspondence, 1990s
Box 16
Correspondence, 2000s
Box 16
Randall family Christmas letters, 1990s-2000s
Box 17
Christmas cards, 1990s
(3 folders)
Box 17
Early writings
(2 folders)
Box 17
Soliloquy of a Farmer's Wife, notes, publicity, etc.
Box 17
Grandmother's diary and letters, used for Soliloquy of a Farmer's Wife
Box 17
Family history materials: obituaries, genealogy, photographs
(7 folders)
Box 18
Cleveland Heights High School
Box 19
Duke Players
Box 19
Duke Chi Psi fraternity
Box 19
Duke Arts and Sciences Council
Box 19
Duke English and Drama Dept. materials
Box 19
Duke retirement
Box 19
Lettie Randall materials
Box 19
Phyllis Randall materials
Box 19
Frances Randall materials
Box 19
Kenneth Randall materials
Box 19
Bulletins and programs
Box 19
Miscellaneous items
Box 19

Historical Note

Dale B.J. Randall earned his B.A. from Western Reserve University in 1951, his M.A. from Rutgers University in 1953, and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1958. In 1957, he began teaching at Duke University as an Instructor in English, a position he had until 1960 when he was promoted to Assistant Professor. In 1970, he was promoted to Professor of English. He was also appointed Professor of Dramatic Literature in1991 and Professor of the Practice of Drama in 1994.

During his career, he served in several posts for the Southeastern Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies and the Folger Institute of Renaissance and 18th century Studies, as Associate Dean of the Graduate School, and as Chair of the Duke Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Additionally, Randall served as Interim Director of the Duke Drama Program (now the Dept. of Theatrical Studies) from 1991-1992, when the Program was close to collapsing. Under his leadership, the Program stabilized. Randall also published several works including The Golden Tapestry: A Critical Survey of Non-Chivalric Spanish Fiction in English Translation, 1543-1657, in 1963, Joseph Conrad and Warrington Dawson: The Record of Friendship, in 1968, Gentle Flame: The Life and Verse of Dudley, Fourth Lord North, and Winter Fruit: English Drama 1642-1660.

He retired from Duke University in 1999 and was duly appointed both Professor Emeritus of English and Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Drama.

Subject Headings

Related Material

  • Dept. of English Records (Duke University Archives)
  • Dept. of Theater Studies Records (Duke University Archives)

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Dale B. J. Randall Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Provenance

The Dale B. J. Randall Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library and University Archives between 1986-2010.

Processing Information

Processed by Kimberly Sims in December 2006, Jennifer Malone in March 2009

Encoded by Kimberly Sims, March 2009

Updated by Meghan Lyon, February 2010

Accessions 2007-0015, UA2003-51, UA2003-55, UA2007-0030, UA2008-0051, UA2009-0014, 2009-0238, 2010-0032 and one from 1986 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.