Stanley B. Harkness Papers

Stanley Bates Harkness, an educator and a specialist in the life and writings of Samuel Butler (1835-1902), was born on January 17, 1880 in Chicago Illinois, the son of Edson Jesse (1843-1926) and Marianna Anne Bates Harkness (1843-1926). He had two siblings, Edith Alice (1871-1951) and Frank Edgerton (1874-1934). He attended Hyde Park High School in Chicago before attending Oberlin College, graduating in 1904.

Harkness began his teaching career as a principal of Jericho Vermont High School, 1906-08, followed by several years as an instructor at Brown University, 1908-10; University of Wisconsin, 1913-27; and University of Chicago, 1910-13, 1927-33. He completed a M.A. degree at the University of Chicago in 1925. He taught English Composition and Literature and tutored private students in Latin, English, algebra, and geometry.

Throughout his teaching career, he pursued a growing interest in the writings of Samuel Butler, a 19th century author. He compiled an unpublished bibliography of Butler’s works, as well as a published bibliography of Butler’s writings, notebooks, and treatises which was well reviewed by the London Times Literary Review Supplement. Harkness published two books: The Prose Style of Sir Philip Sydney (1917) and The Career of Samuel Butler (1835-1902): A Bibliography (1955).

In retirement, he and sister Edith moved permanently to their summer home in Wolance, New Hampshire in 1939 where he continued his consuming interest in Samuel Butler. In 1958, he donated his large personal collection of Butler’s works, including first editions and numerous critical works, to the Oberlin College Library.

At the time of his death, June 17, 1961, one third of his residual estate was left to Oberlin College, when combined with a Class of 1904 Class gift, that bequest enabled the construction of Kettering Science Library.

Stanley Harkness never married. He was buried in Westwood Cemetery in Oberlin in a family plot.

Sources Consulted

Alumni file of Stanley Harkness (RG 28).