Thomas Edward Harris Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 03-004

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This small collection consists mostly of correspondence relating to Thomas E. Harris' tenure as presidential assistant between 1949 and 1953. The correspondence is divided into two subseries: 1. Name Files and 2. Subject Files. The subject files document various topics such as outside representation, alumni affairs and scholarships. The name files are mostly donor files containing incoming and outgoing (file copies) of correspondence with Oberlin College alumni, faculty and friends.

Dates

Creation: 1949-1953
Other: Date acquired: 12/27/1967

Creator

Harris, Thomas Edward (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical or Historical Information

Thomas Edward Harris (1908-1990), the son of Thomas and Anna E. Beattie Harris, was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He received his A.B. from Oberlin College in 1933 and years later took courses at Harvard University. He married Helen B. Laird (OC Class of 1935) in 1941.

Returning to his alma mater in 1942, Harris replaced Carroll Shaw as the Secretary to the Oberlin College Alumni Association. For two years he served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant, but returned to Oberlin in 1945 to resume his duties as Alumni Secretary. In addition, he was also a member of the Prudential Committee (1945) until 1949 when he was appointed Assistant to the President.

Although Harris' predecessor Harold S. Wood (1944-48) held the title of Vice President, this position was renamed and reclassified as Assistant to the President by President William Stevenson. Most of the same duties and responsibilities were retained, such as responsibility for developing funds for new Oberlin College buildings and scholarships.

Harris held the Assistant's position until 1953 when he resigned and returned to the office of Alumni Secretary.

Thomas E. Harris died August 27, 1990. He was survived by two sons and a daughter.

Note written by Lisa Hicks

Extent

0.80 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The Thomas E. Harris Papers were transferred with other presidential assistant's papers to the College Archives from storage in the President's Office located on the third floor of the Administration Building on December 27, 1967.

Accruals and Additions

Accession No: 28.

Related Materials

For related materials, the researcher is encouraged to consult the records of other presidential assistants: William F. Bohn (2/1), Charles Whiting Williams (2/2), Harold S. Wood (2/3), and Bayley Mason (2/5). In addition, to obtain more information about Thomas E. Harris, the researcher should check his staff file (28/3, Box 32).