DACS

ruskralph Inventory of the Ralph Leslie Rusk Papers, 1782-1981 Processed by: Rubenstein Library staff; machine-readable finding aid created by: Jonathan Grilli David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 003080816

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: April 2009Processed by Jonathan Grilli, date unknown; finding aid encoded by Jonathan Grilli, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, April 2009 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Inventory of the Ralph Leslie Rusk Papers, 1782-1981 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Rusk, Ralph Leslie. Ralph Leslie Rusk Papers, 1782-1981 Material inEnglish 30 Linear Feet 25,276 Items For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Professor of American Literature at Columbia University, 1925-1953. One of the founders of the journal American Literature. Married Clara Gibbs in 1915. The Ralph Leslie Rusk Papers span the years 1782-1981, and chiefly concern Rusk's teaching and research in American Literature, notably the life and letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The collection contains research papers and notebooks, and travel diaries related to Rusk's research and teaching; a large series of correspondence covering the years 1912-1963; teaching materials such as lecture notes; clippings files and articles related to Rusk's publications and related activities; many photographs; Rusk, Gibbs, and Emerson family papers; and papers relating to his wife, Clara Gibbs, including a scrapbook and wedding mementoes. Some of the papers and photographs refer to a period of time spent teaching in the Philippines, around 1912-1914. Collection is minimally processed and described. Acquired as part of the Jay B. Hubbell Center for American Literary Historiography. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this 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.

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.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Ralph Leslie Rusk Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Provenance

The Ralph Leslie Rusk Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 1978, and 1985-1987.

Processing Information

Processed by Jonathan Grilli.

Encoded by Jonathan Grilli, April 2009

Accessions from 1978, 1985, 1986, and 1987 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 collection has been minimally processed and portions of it may not be arranged beyond original order. Please consult with a reference archivist before coming to use this collection.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Collection Overview

The Ralph Leslie Rusk Papers span the years 1782-1981, and chiefly concern Rusk's teaching and research in American Literature, notably the life and letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The collection contains research papers and notebooks, and travel diaries related to Rusk's research and teaching; a large series of correspondence covering the years 1912-1963; teaching materials such as lecture notes; clippings files and articles related to Rusk's publications and related activities; many photographs; Rusk, Gibbs, and Emerson family papers; and papers relating to his wife, Clara Gibbs, including a scrapbook and wedding mementoes. Some of the papers and photographs refer to a period of time spent teaching in the Philippines, around 1912-1914. The collection is minimally processed and was originally arranged by additions, described below in more detail. Some boxes have been reordered to reflect a chronological or topical sequence, thus, some box numbers appear out of order.

The original collection (6-19-78) (32 items; dated 1939-1956) contains an essay on William Peterfield Trent, and 31 letters regarding Rusk’s academic activities. There are letters from Bliss Perry, Stanley T. Williams, Henry A. Pochmann, George C. D. Odell, Newton Arvin, John Erskine, Randall Stewart, Harry H. Clark, and Ernest E. Leisy.

The addition (9-25-85) (5982 items; dated 1880-1979) relates primarily to Rusk’s research for editing The Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and his teaching. Rusk maintained journals and ledgers during research trips in Europe, where he retraced the travels of Ralph Waldo Emerson. There are photostatic copies of Emerson family letters, articles about Emerson and related topics, and a clippings file featuring reviews of Rusk’s book. In addition, Rusk’s lecture notes are held in three volumes, notebooks, and notecard files. There are also photographs, photograph albums, and letters (1912-1914) from the period Rusk spent as a professor at the University of the Philippines. These items including descriptions of the islands and culture. There are also miscellaneous items and scrapbooks.

The addition (12-18-85) (100 items; dated 1883-1980) contains an inventory and appraisal of Rusk’s private library now housed at Columbia University; as well as Clara Gibbs’ scrapbooks, correspondence, and various commencement invitations. There are also items related to their marriage, including her bride’s book, a wedding announcement, and their marriage certificate.

The addition (6-25-86) (16,920 items; dated 1782-1963) contains correspondence, clippings, travel diaries, and pictures for the Rusk and Gibbs families. The clippings refer to Rusk’s books THE LIFE OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON, LETTERS OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON, and THE LITERATURE OF THE MIDDLE WESTERN FRONTIER. The correspondence pertains to Rusk’s research and teaching.

The addition (87-116) (12 items; dated 1941-1981) comprises official documents concerning the deaths of Rusk family members. Acquired as part of the Jay B. Hubbell Center for American Literary Historiography.

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

American literature--History and criticism. American literature--Study and teaching. Columbia University--Faculty. Diaries. Emerson family. Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882. Gibbs, Clara. Gibbs family. Philippines--Description and travel. Philippines--Pictorial works. Photographs. Rusk family. Rusk, Ralph L. (Ralph Leslie), b. 1888. Scrapbooks. University of the Philippines--Faculty. Contents of Collection Correspondence, 1912-1963 (32 boxes)

Boxes of minimally processed materials have been reorganized into chronological sequence; box numbers therefore appear out of order.

13Correspondence ca. 1912-1950s 29Letters, 1913-1923 30Letters, 1923-1925 31Letters, 1925-1927 32Letters, 1926-1927 33Letters, 1928 34Letters, 1929 35Letters, 1931 36Letters, 1932 37Letters, 1933-1934 38Letters, 1939 39Letters, 1940-1949 40Letters, 1943-1944 41Letters, 1949 42Letters, 1949-1951 43Letters, 1952 44Letters, 1953-1954 45Letters, 1955-1956 46Letters, 1957 6Letters, 1958 7Letters, 1959 8Letters, 1960 1Letters, 1961 2Letters, 1962-1963 12Letters - Travel 9Photocopies of Emerson letters 10Emerson research: photocopies of Emerson letters 11Transcriptions of Emerson letters 24Photocopies of Emerson letters, articles 25Photocopies of Emerson letters 48Photocopies of Emerson letters 49Clara Gibbs Rusk letters Writings (7 boxes) 5Reviews of Writings 14Writings by Rusk: Novel 16Writings by Rusk 17Writings by Rusk 28Writings - Miscellaneous Authors 56Writings: Novel 57Writings: Novel Photographs, 1880-1981 (3 boxes) 3Family Pictures,1880-1981, bulk 1880-1930 23Pictures Tenure as professor at the University of the Philippines, 1912-1914 Family Pictures 50Family Pictures Miscellaneous Material (16 boxes) 4Clippings 15Lecture Notes 18Notebooks and Journals 19Notebooks of Lecture Notes 20Lecture Notes 21Miscellany 22Clippings 26Miscellany 27Clara Gibbs Rusk Papers 47Gilbert Imlay Research 51Personal Papers, Diaries 52Student Enrollment Books [closed to access] 53Recordings 54Scrapbook 55Card Files, Playbills 58Miscellaneous 1987 Accession (1 folder)

Comprises official documents concerning the deaths of Rusk family members. Located in Box 58.

Oversize Material (2 folders) Sec. A OV8Three diplomas Emerson genealogy