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Bernadotte E. Schmitt Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0575

  • Staff Only

This collection houses photographs, photograph albums, correspondence, diplomas, newspaper clippings, and published works documenting Bernadotte E. Schmitt's family, time at the University of Tennessee, participation in the Rhodes Scholarship Program, and later career. The bulk of the material shows Schmitt's undergraduate education at the University of Tennessee and includes photographs of the campus and of Schmitt's friends (including future Dean of Women Harriet C. Greve), correspondence, notes, class assignments, and grade reports. Other items show Schmitt's time as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and include the crests of Oxford University and Merton College, a photograph album, and numerous event and dinner programs. The collection also includes materials documenting Cooper D. Schmitt's work as a mathematics professor at the University of Tennessee and death, numerous book reviews, and reprints of articles that Bernadotte E. Schmitt published later in his career.

Dates

  • 1894 October-1968 March 18

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

7.15 Linear Feet (12 boxes)

Abstract

This collection houses photographs, photograph albums, correspondence, diplomas, newspaper clippings, and published works documenting Bernadotte E. Schmitt's family, time at the University of Tennessee, participation in the Rhodes Scholarship Program, and later career.

Biographical/Historical Note

Bernadotte Everly Schmitt was born in Strasburg, Virginia on May 19, 1886 to Cooper Davis Schmitt (1859-1910) and Rose Evelyn (Everly) Schmitt (1865-1915). His father, Cooper, was a professor of mathematics and classics at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Schmitt was an accomplished student, attending the Backer Himmel School in Knoxville as well as the University of Tennessee. He received his degree in 1904 and was selected as the first Rhodes Scholar from Tennessee. He attended Merton College, Oxford, from 1905 to 1908. He went on to earn an B.A. and M.A. in 1908 and later earning a Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was a leading diplomatic and Euopean historian, authoring The Coming of War, 1914 for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1931. He was also a teacher, serving as professor of Modern European History at the University of Chicago from 1924-1946. Schmitt died on March 22, 1969 at the age of eighty-two.

Arrangement

This collection consists of twelve boxes.

Acquisition Note

Mrs. Damaris Ames Schmitt donated this collection to the Special Collections Library in June of 1970.

Related Materials

Interested researchers may wish to consult MS.0545, Bernadotte Everly Schmitt Postcards, 1906-1910.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480