Will T. Hale papers, 1900-1962
A Guide to his Papers at the Indiana University Archives
Finding aid prepared by Whitney Buccicone.
Summary Information
Repository
Indiana University Archives
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library E460
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-1127
Email: archives@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives
Creator
Hale, Will T. (Will Taliaferro),
1880-1967.
TitleWill T. Hale papers, 1900-1962
Collection No.
C358
Extent
1 cubic foot (1 box)
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
With a focus on Biblical literature and
Victorian poetry, Will T. Hale was a professor of English Literature at Indiana
University from 1913-1950. Included in this collection are correspondence, journals,
engagement calendars, and teaching materials, such as lesson plans and
notes.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research. Advance notice is required for access.
Biographical Note
Will T. Hale was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1880 to Foster Kirksey and Nettie Pope
Hale. Developing an early appreciation for English literature, he graduated from his
local high school in 1898 and then began his collegiate education by first attending
Vanderbilt University where he earned his A.B. and A.M. degrees in 1902. He then
proceeded to Yale University where he graduated with his Bachelors from the School
of Divinity in 1905. After this, he began his teaching career when he became a
professor of History and English at Morrisville College in Montana for a short
period before moving on to the University of Texas, where he was an instructor of
English from 1907-1910. Soon after, he obtained his Masters degree in English at
Columbia University and graduated in 1912. He returned to Yale for his Ph.D., and
graduated in 1914. His career at Indiana University began as an English instructor
in 1913 and in 1918, he became an assistant professor. In 1924, he was promoted to
associate professor and in 1929, he became a full professor. During his career, he
specialized in Victorian poetry and Bible literature. He published and edited
several books about popular authors, such as Brontë and Milton. He was also active
in the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta, which he joined during his college years and as a
faculty member, he aided the house in events and fundraising. Though only barely
mentioned in biographical material, it is said he regularly helped young men
complete college through monetary grants and offering room and board at his
house.
During his tenure at IU, Hale was regularly awarded the Brown Derby award, which was
given to the most popular professor of the year. He was a member of the American
Association of University Professors and the Modern Languages Association of America
and the Faculty Club at IU. On a more personal level, he established the Browning
Club of Indiana University and was a Mason for many years. He retired on July 1,
1950 but stayed active in the community as well as IU until his death in 1967, on
February 5th.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into four series: Journals, Notes, Personal files, and
Teaching materials. All files are arranged alphabetically by folder title and all
records within are arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
This collection is organized into four series: Journals, Notes, Personal files, and
Teaching materials.
Journals include a day-to-day listing of what Hale bought, who he talked to, and many
other details about his personal life. This was especially consistent during the
years 1957 to 1962.
The Notes series includes Hale’s notes from his college and graduate school years.
These also include his interpretation of certain poems and views on their authors.
Personal files include Professor Hale’s correspondence, engagement calendars and
journals. The latter of which also include his records of weather and sport scores.
Also in this series are materials about the house the professor built along with
information and samples of how he decorated. Included also are Hale’s notes and
writings from when he was a student.
Teaching materials include lesson plans, papers on assignment format, and notebooks
that include notes on his students.
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Indexing Terms
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The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT, the IU Libraries'
online catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by
searching the catalog using these terms.
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Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
9010, 9011, 9023
Usage RestrictionsThe donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University.
For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.
The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for
non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility
for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials.
Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these
materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.
Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational
and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its
inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.
Preferred Citation
[Item], Will T. Hale papers, Collection C358, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Appraisal
Duplicates removed. Non-Indiana University yearbooks pulled and offered to
appropriate school repositories. Grades removed. Hale sometimes kept personal
notes regarding his students and their religions, etc. These were removed.
Processing InformationProcessed by Whitney Buccicone.
Completed in 2009
Container List
Series:
Box 1
Journals, 1900-1962
Records, 1957-1960
(includes weather reports and correspondence log)
Series:
Personal files, 1900-1963
“A book of rhymes,” November
1907
The Browning Society at Indiana University, 1916
Correspondence, 1923-1958
Engagement calendars, 1946-1963
(2 folders)
Materials on Hale’s house being built and decorated, undated
Student writings, 1900-1912
Series:
Teaching Materials, 1937-1958
Syllabus and exams - L367 & L368 - Literature of the Bible
II, undated
View item(s)
Schedule,
1937-1938
1955-1958