William H. Wannamaker papers, 1917 - 1948

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Summary

Creator:
Wannamaker, William Hane, 1873-
Abstract:
William Hane Wannamaker (1873-1958) was a professor and administrator at Trinity College and Duke University for over four decades. He served as Dean of Trinity College and Vice President for the Educational Division, and was responsible for critical decisions regarding student, faculty, and administrative policies. The William H. Wannamaker Papers are the official files of the Dean and Vice President of Trinity College and Duke University. Materials include correspondence, reports, evaluations, and other administrative materials. Major subjects include student discipline, faculty issues, World Wars I and II, college sports, the hiring and promotion of faculty, and other administrative matters. English.
Extent:
14 Linear Feet
Language:
English.
Collection ID:
UA.05.52.0001
University Archives Record Group:
05 -- Office of the Provost
05 -- Office of the Provost > 52 -- William H. Wannamaker

Background

Scope and content:

The William H. Wannamaker Papers are the official files of the Dean and Vice President of Trinity College and Duke University. The first series, Correspondence, covers the period of Wannamaker's tenure in those positions, 1917-1948, and is arranged chronologically. Topics include student discipline, faculty issues, World Wars I and II, and other administrative concerns. The second series, Personnel, concerns the recruitment and development of the faculty for the years 1930 to 1948, and is arranged chronologically. Faculty appointments and promotions at all levels are included, as are the reports of departmental chairs. The third series, Subject Files, consists of a variety of materials related to Duke University, such as committee and council reports, and reports to the President. It is organized alphabetically.

Biographical / historical:

William Hane Wannamaker was born September 28, 1873 in Bamberg, South Carolina. He attended Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C., and received the A.B. degree in 1895. He worked as a school principal for several years, then in 1900, his former professor at Wofford, Trinity President John C. Kilgo, encouraged him to come to Trinity College, Durham, N.C., as instructor in English and graduate student. He received the A.M. degree from Trinity in 1901. He studied at Harvard University, earning an A.M. there in 1902, and completed additional study at several universities in Germany.

He returned to Trinity College as a professor of German language and literature in 1905. In 1910, another former professor from Wofford, William P. Few, became president at Trinity, and Wannamaker became a member of the college's administrative committee. In 1917, he received a Litt.D. degree from Wofford College. In the same year he was named Dean of Trinity College. After Trinity College became Duke University, Wannamaker remained as Dean and became Vice President for the Educational Division in 1926, a post he held until he retired in 1948. According to historian Robert F. Durden, "Wannamaker held the primary responsibility (along with President Few) for faculty recruitment and development--a large task in a rapidly expanding, new research university."

In addition to his academic administrative duties, Wannamaker chaired the Athletic Committee at Duke. He also served on the Board of Education of the City of Durham for 24 years, and was chairman of this board from 1925 to 1947. Wannamaker was also a Trustee of Watts Hospital and a Rotarian.

After his retirement, Wannamaker was named Vice-Chancellor, a title he held until his death in Pine Bluff, N.C., on August 2, 1958. Wannamaker is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Durham, N.C. Wannamaker married Isabel Stringfellow of Chester, S.C., on June 30, 1903. They had four children: Margaret Elizabeth, William Hane, Isabel, and Harriet Foote. Isabel Stringfellow Wannamaker died in November 1957.

Acquisition information:
The William Hane Wannamaker Papers were received as a transfer in 1972 and 1973.
Processing information:

Processed by Valerie Gillispie

Completed July 28, 2004

Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, August 10, 2004

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], William Hane Wannamaker Papers, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m18m67