School of Journalism Founding Documents, 1892-1912, bulk 1903-1904

Creator:
Columbia University. Archives
Abstract:
Correspondence, printed materials, drafts and copies of agreements relating to the establishment and initial organization of Columbia University's School of Journalism.
Extent:
0.42 linear feet 1 document box
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

Correspondence, printed materials, draft agreements and copies of final agreements. The bulk of the correspondence relates to various aspects of how to establish this new School of Journalism. Some correspondence makes suggestions regarding curriculum, others are applications or recommendations for teaching positions, some are invitations and acceptances of Advisory Board positions and others are about the negotiations with Joseph Pulitzer. Among the notable names that can be found in these files of correspondence are Franz Boas, John William Burgess, Nicholas Murray Butler, James M. Cattell, Charles Eliot (President of Harvard University), George Homer (Mr. Pulitzer's lawyer who wrote up the agreements), Frederick Keppel, Seth Low, Joseph Pulitzer, John Pine, George D. Rives. In the alphabetical correspondence files, there is a typescript copy of a letter written from Nicholas Murray Butler to President Theodore Roosevelt (28 July 1903) asking Roosevelt to join the Advisory Board.

Biographical / historical:

The School of Journalism was established through monies left to Columbia University in the will of Joseph Pulitzer who passed away in 1911. As he wrote in his will"There are now special schools for instruction for lawyers, physicians, clergymen, military and naval officers, engineers, architects and artists, but none for the instruction of journalists. That all other professions and not journalism should have the advantage of special training seems to me contrary to reason." [pp. 3-4"Extracts from the Will of Joseph Pulitzer, died, October 29, 1911"]. The original agreements regarding the establishment and organization of the school were made in 1903 and 1904, but the school did not actually open until 1912 -- a year after Pulitzer died. The School of Journalism began as an undergraduate school offering a B.Litt. Degree to its graduates, but in 1935 the School became the first in the nation to adopt a program exclusively at the graduate level.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); School of Journalism Founding Documents; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
University Archives Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
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Contact:
uarchives@columbia.edu