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University of Chicago Library

Guide to the William I. Thomas Papers 1908-1974

© 2006 University of Chicago Library

Descriptive Summary

Title:

Thomas, William I., Papers

Dates:

1908-1974

Size:

.2 linear ft. (2 folders)

Repository:

Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.

Abstract:

William I. Thomas, sociologist, author, teacher. The William I. Thomas Papers consist of primarily of correspondence. The Papers also include reprinted articles, a lecture outline, and a draft of a book introduction.

Information on Use

Access

No restrictions.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Thomas, William I., Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

William I. Thomas was born in Russell County, Virginia on August 13, 1863. He attended the University of Tennessee (B.A., 1884), (Ph.D. in Literature, 1886). Thomas was awarded a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago in 1896.

Thomas was a Professor at Oberlin College (1889-1894). In 1900 he moved to the University of Chicago where he became Assistant Professor (1900-1910), and Professor of Sociology (1910-1918). Thomas was a lecturer at the New School for Social Research (1923-1928), and Harvard University (1936-1937). He also served as the Director of the Helen Culver Fund for Race Psychology, (1908-1918), and the President of the American Sociological Society, (1927).

Among Thomas' published works are: Sex and Society: Studies in the Social Psychology of Sex (1907), The Origins of Society and the State (1915), The Polish Peasant in Europe and America (1918-1920), Old World Traits Transplanted (1921), The Child in America: Behavior Problems and Programs (1928), and Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences (1937). Thomas was also the subject of Social Behavior and Personality: Contributions of W.I. Thomas to Theory and Social Research (1951).

William I. Thomas died on December 5, 1947.

Scope Note

The William I. Thomas Papers consist of primarily of correspondence. The Papers also include reprinted articles, a lecture outline, and a draft of a book introduction.

Related Resources

The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/spcl/select.html

Subject Headings

INVENTORY

Box 1   Folder 1

Correspondence

  • WT to William Jones, 1908 (photocopy)
  • WT to "Dear Sirs," Berlin, 1912 (German with English translation, original in
  • Samuel N. Harper Papers)
  • Kimball Young to WT, 1930
  • WT to Kimball Young, 1930
  • WT to Dorothy Thomas, 1935
  • E. B. Wilson to P. A. Sorokin, 1935
  • Morris Janowitz to DT, 1965
  • Morris Janowitz to DT, 1966
  • Elizabeth Marden to DT, 1966
  • DT to Elizabeth Marden, 1966
  • DT to Morris Janowitz, 1966
  • Franciszek Jakubczak to DT, 1967
  • J. C. Winter to DT, 1968
  • DT to J. C. Winter, 1968
  • Leland B. Tate to DT, 1970
  • DT to Leland B. Tate, 1970
  • Norbert Wiley to DT, n.d.
  • DT to Norbert Wiley, 1971
  • Edward T. James to DT, 1971
  • DT to Edward T. James, 1971
  • R. Fred Wacker to DT, 1973
  • DT to R. Fred Wacker, 1973
  • R. Fred Wacker to DT, 1974
Box 1   Folder 2

Miscellaneous Works

  • Article, "Race Psychology: Standpoint and Questionnaire with Particular
  • Reference to the Immigrant and the Negro," 1912
  • Article, "The Relation of the Medicine-Man to the Origin of the Professional
  • Occupations," n.d.
  • Lecture outline for "Social Organization and Social Personality," n.d.
  • "Introduction," n.d.