MenuInventory of the Joseph C. Wetherby papers, 1930 - 1976
Abstract
Joseph Cable Wetherby served as Associate Professor of English at Duke University from 1947-1976. The papers consist of correspondence, printed matter, speeches, clippings, minutes, memoranda, teaching aids and other teaching materials, student papers, photographs, research notes, and writings. Major subjects include the teaching of English to international students at Duke, broadcasting and the development of the WDBS radio station at Duke University, and the Duke University Debate Team, which Wetherby coached for over 20 years.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Joseph C. Wetherby papers, 1930 - 1976.
- Creator
- Wetherby, Joseph C., 1910-1976.
- Extent
- 4.6 Linear Feet, , 5500 Items
- Repository
- University Archives, Duke University
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
- Language
- English.
Collection Overview
The Wetherby Papers contain printed material (including pamphlets, brochures, flyers, programs, speeches, and clippings), correspondence, minutes, memoranda, teaching aids and other teaching materials, student papers, photographs, research notes, writings, and other papers. Inclusive dates for the collection are ca. 1930 to 1976, with the bulk of material from 1947 to 1976.
These papers chiefly reflect Wetherby's interest in three major areas: teaching English as a foreign language, broadcasting, and debating. In the first category falls material on grammar and enunciation (including numerous exercises, tests, and other teaching aids), speech and hearing pathology, and a small number of administrative papers dealing with the teaching of English to international students at Duke University. In the area of broadcasting, there are clippings, course descriptions, lecture material, and printed material on the history of radio and television; its methods, principles, and policies; legal status; government policies affecting broadcasting; and audience and market research. Wetherby also kept clippings, printed matter, and copies of speeches on communications and broadcasting in general, as well as on specialized topics such as TV violence and cigarette advertising.
Files concerning the history of Duke University include materials on a proposed FM station for the campus (1957-1968), as well as selected student papers on such topics as broadcasting at Duke, the Vigil of 1968, and the Associated Students of Duke University in a conflict with WDBS. There are also a number of selected student papers on various aspects of communications, broadcasting, and the persuasive speaking.
There is a card file on members of the Debate Team with their records by opponent and tournament, and a small amount of material (correspondence, records, circulars, a telegram) on the West Point National Tournament for 1962 to 1964.
Useful information regarding a significant incident early in Wetherby's tenure as debate coach will be found in William King, Not fit to debate? National debate topic on Communist China gets hackles up, in the Duke Alumni Register, vol. 65, no. 2, Nov.- Dec. 1978. The article deals with Wetherby's defense of the right of collegiate debaters to argue this sensitive topic in 1954, at the height of the McCarthy era. Wetherby appeared on the See It Now program of Edward R. Murrow on CBS Television.
Wetherby coached three teams from Duke University which appeared on national television on the College Bowl series, in 1955, 1960, and 1968. Some materials in the collection deal with the logistics of these teams' travel and appearances, and on the operation of the telecasts.
Gathered in separate folders as well as scattered throughout the collection is a large amount of printed material in the form of brochures, handbooks, pamphlets, newsletters, and copies of speeches. Included is material from organizations like the National Association of Broadcasters, the Federal Communications Commission, the Southern Speech Association (later the Southern Speech Communication Association), and the Speech Communication Association. The collection from the Southern Speech Association and its successor organization includes a consecutive run of programs for annual conventions from 1951 to 1976. The material on the Speech Communication Association includes consecutive issues from 1968 to 1976 of Free Speech, a newsletter of this organization's Commission on Freedom of Speech.
During the 1960s, Wetherby frequently was sent to regional high schools to promote Duke University to prospective students.
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 »
Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
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.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllMemoranda, correspondence, cards, reports, lists, newsletters, brochures, pamphlets, tests, exercises, minutes, clippings, speeches, plays, manuals, student papers, magazines, and other papers. The bulk of the materials dates from Wetherby's years at Duke University, 1947-1976. See also related materials in the 1977 Addition.
Includes minutes of one meeting in 1964 of International Students Advisory Committee, ca. 1964
Includes further material on articulation and some material on speech pathology
Includes exercises, tests, manual
Pamphlets, brochures, correspondence, clippings, programs, newsletters, lists, bills, photos, application forms, clippings, and other papers. See also related materials in the 1977 Addition.
Includes the Free Speech newsletter for same years.
Some of these writings may date from Wetherby's time as a student.
Some course materials mixed; each folder should be examined for specific course material
Contains press clippings on Terry Sanford campaign for the U.S. Presidency, 1976
Contains letter from Jesse R. Helms
Include budget, correspondence, clippings, FCC application, minutes of Management Board
3 binders and 1 notebook contain notes on speech, persuasive speaking, semantics, speech pathology; tests; syllabi; outlines of books; lessons; and other papers. These are either lecture notes or class notes made by Wetherby as a student.
Loose sheets now grouped in a folder: lesson plans, bibliographies, diagrams, tests, notes on various phases of speech and speech pathology. Some of these materials may stem from Wetherby's time as a student.
Historical Note
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 1910 | Born 2 May, Bellingham, Washington |
| 1930-1936 | Student, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan; B.A., Speech, 1934; M.A., Speech, 1936 |
| 1936 | Married Carol Van Sickle |
| 1936-1942 | Assistant Professor of Speech, Oklahoma State University |
| 1942-1946 | Active Duty, U.S. Navy, as Lieutenant |
| 1946-1947 | Director of Radio, Wayne State University |
| 1947-1976 | Associate Professor of English, Duke University |
| 1948 | Published "In the Realm of Radio", in Southern Speech Journal |
| 1952-1976 | Regional Governor, Delta Sigma Rho Tau Kappa Alpha (forensic honorary), reelected 1976 |
| 1953 | Graduate study in Speech and Psychology, University of Florida |
| 1957 | Summer, Guest Professor of Speech, Wake Forest University |
| 1960 | President, Southern Speech Association |
| 1960-1967 | Temporary Action Duty, U.S. Navy, as Lieutenant Commander; Head of English Dept., U.S. Naval Preparatory School, Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program |
| 1961 | Published "Academic Status Seekers", in Southern Speech Journal |
| 1963 | Published "Debate 1984", in The Speaker |
| 1967 | Director Producer for Durham Savoyards Ltd. (Gilbert and Sullivan Shows): Iolanthe (1967); Gondoliers (1974) |
| 1976 | April: Debate Team wins National Championship |
| 1976 | Distinguished Service Award of Delta Sigma Rho Tau Kappa Alpha |
| 1976 | Died 12 October, Duke University |
Wetherby was active in many professional organizations during his career, including the Speech Association of America, Educational Theatre Association (Honorary Life Member), Southern Speech Association, Delta Sigma Rho Tau Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Eta (Speech and Hearing Honorary), American Forensic Association, North Carolina Speech Association (President), and Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Subject Headings
- Broadcasting--Study and teaching.
- College radio stations--United States.
- Debates and debating--Study and teaching.
- Duke University. Debate Team.
- Duke University. Dept. of English.
- English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers.
- Radio broadcasting.
- Students, Foreign.
- WDBS Radio (Radio station : Durham, N.C.)
- Wetherby, Joseph C., 1910-1976.
- Clippings.
- Photographs.
- Speeches.
Related Material
- Debate Team records. (University Archives, Duke University.)
- WDBS records. (University Archives, Duke University.)
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Joseph C. Wetherby papers, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
The Joseph C. Wetherby papers were received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1977.
Processing Information
Processed by G. Edwin Southern, Jr. in July 1980 and updated by Jill Katte in July 2002.
Encoded by Jill Katte, July 2003
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.