George E. Simpson Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-064

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers of George Eaton Simpson primarily document Simpson’s research and writing in the area of sociology, his correspondence with individuals concerning his research, minority issues, and Oberlin College, and Simpson’s service to Oberlin College and the community through committee work and projects. The collection illustrates the type of sociological research and writings associated with minority issues during the period of U.S. history that included race riots, the Vietnam War, and assassinations of key figures in politics. The Biographical Series contains detailed curriculum vitae of Simpson, including lists of his publications. The Correspondence Series (incoming and outgoing) contains letters between Simpson and individuals such as Ralph J. Bunche, Melville J. Herskovits, Eduardo C. Mondlane (OC 1953), and Erwin N. Griswold (OC 1925). One folder contains correspondence to and from various individuals, including Dr. Eric Williams of Howard University, Hugh Foot of King’s House, Jamaica, and President John F. Kennedy (outgoing). These letters include discussions of Simpson’s research on cultures of foreign countries, his work concerning minorities, and the activities and operation of Oberlin College. Of particular interest is the correspondence with Mondlane, in which Mondlane seeks assistance on research concerning social attitudes, and discusses his work in the United Nations. The folder concerning Mondlane also includes biographical information, and materials related to Mondlane’s death.

The collection provides little documentation concerning Simpson’s teaching at Oberlin College or his personal life.

The collection is organized into nine series: 1. Biographical; 2: Clippings; 3. Correspondence; 4. Files related to service to college and community; 5. Financial Records; 6. Lectures; 7. Writings; 8. Photographs; 9. Videotapes.

Dates

Creation: 1940-1985
Other: Date acquired: 03/23/1972

Conditions Governing Access

One restricted file and phonograph record as noted in the inventory.

Biographical Sketch

George Eaton Simpson was born to Lawrence Elmer Simpson (1866-1937) and Minnie Grace Curtis (1877-1934) in Knoxville, Iowa on October 4, 1904. He had a brother naed Thomas Richard (1906-1991). He received his B.S. degree from Coe College in 1926, M.A. degree from the University of Missouri in 1927, and Ph. D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1934. He taught at Temple University and at Pennsylvania State University before coming to Oberlin College as a Professor of Sociology and Anthropology.

From 1947-71, Mr. Simpson became a legendary member of the Oberlin faculty, becoming an active leader of the faculty and serving many times on all major committees, including the Advancement Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee on Oberlin College African American Studies. For most of his time in the department of Sociology and Anthropology, he served as department chair. He was known as a strong guardian of the faculty governance system.

Mr. Simpson was a gifted and dedicated teacher and his many students acknowledge their lasting gratitude. He authored over 60 books and articles, including Black Religion in the New World (1978) and Jamaican Revivalist Cults (booklet, 1956). In his writings, he brought a profound knowledge and balanced judgment to the study of race relations and to the origin and character of black religions in the New World. See the Oberlin On-line Catalogue for more titles.

He received numerous honors and awards for his work. Among these were the Wellcome Medal for Anthropological Research; the 1958 Anisfield-Wolf Award in Race Relations (with J. Milton Yinger); and Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Oberlin College (1976) and Coe College (1980).

Simpson was active in professional organizations, and he served the Oberlin Community in various capacities. He was president of the Philadelphia Anthropological Society and Vice President of the American Folklore Society (1963).

He met his wife of 61 years, Eleanor Brown (1904-1991), at the University of Missouri where both were graduate students. They had four children, Jon E., A. Louise; Nancy B.; and G Curtis.

George and Eleanor Simspon moved to Friendship Village, a retirement community in 1986. He was soon asked to serve on several committees, including the Memorial Fund Committee and the Health Center Committee.

Eleanor Simpson died in June of 1991 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. George Simpson died Dec. 13, 1998, at Friendship Village in Columbus, Ohio.

Sources Consulted: Letter to the Oberlin College Community by Oberlin College President Nancy Dye, 14 December 1998; Oberlin News Tribune Dec. 22, 1998; and, the faculty file of George E. Simspon (RG 28/3).

Note written by Prue Richards, Rebecca Johnson, Kenneth Grossi.

Extent

2.80 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The papers of George Eaton Simpson were received in three lots; accession number 163 in 1972, reprints of articles by Simpson were received from J. Milton Yinger on 25 January 1999, and printed matter and a videotape from Nancy Alonzo, Simpson's daughter, on 28 June 1999. In 2023 the Conservatory Library transferred a phonograph record, Jamaican Cult Music, recorded by George E. Simpson and pressed in Oberlin in 1955.

Accruals and Additions

Accessions: 163, 1999/33, 1999/116 and unaccessioned

Related Materials

For materials related to sociology, see the records of the Department of Sociology (9/22), 1894-1993; the papers of J. Milton Yinger (30/188), 1937-98. The sound recording is also available on the Folkways label in the Conservatory Library and elsewhere.