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Edmund Freeman papers, 1889-1995.   Freeman, Edmund Laws, 1893-1976.

 

University of Montana–Missoula, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, K . Ross Toole Archives

 

Collection is open for research.

 

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Details

 

24.6 linear ft.

 

The material described in this catalog record is located in the collections of the K. Ross Toole Archives, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana–Missoula.

 

Collection is open for research.

 

This collection is primarily Edmund Freeman’s personal papers relating to the University of Montana and his many writing projects. Intellectual life of mid-century Montana is well represented through Freeman’s correspondence, articles, educational interests, and activities with the American Federation of Teachers. Newspaper clippings concerning various topics in his research files indicate the kinds of issues he wrote about as well as the many drafts of articles and letters included in the collection. There are typed and handwritten notes on assorted topics; they are often article or book fragments, quotes, Freeman’s own thoughts, or any combination of the three. Aside from issues relating directly to the University and its students, he placed particular importance on civil rights and war research. He kept notebooks on many of his research topics, particularly on major figures in British literature and University of Montana history. Freeman retained papers and essays from others that he considered useful for his research; many were student papers, but he also kept papers by his colleagues and friends. He found special interest in American activities in Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s and the resulting student unrest at the University of Montana and universities around the country. He collected numerous articles and essays on the war and student protests. A staunch defender of student and employee rights, Freeman used letters to the editor in the student newspaper as a forum for discussing free speech and civil liberties. He was particularly active during perceived acts of censorship by the George Finlay Simmons administration in the late 1930s, which involved the firing of librarian Philip Keeney who would appeal to the American Federation of Teachers for assistance. There is a great deal of ephemera regarding the English Department and its operation. Freeman maintained correspondence with many notable figures in early University of Montana history including H.G. Merriam, Earnest Melby, Leslie Fiedler, and Mike Mansfield. Freeman’s intention of writing “The Book,” a history of the early years of Montana State University and in many ways his autobiography, is well represented in his research files. He kept specific files and took notes on different people and incidents that were important to the history of the University and kept materials from his years of teaching to aid in his research. Upon the death of his friend, retired botany professor Joseph “Smoky Joe” Kramer, Freeman received one of Kramer’s binders of writings and notes which he retained with his own files. Kramer was a professor at the University of Montana-Missoula from 1930 until his retirement in 1960. Freeman was also working on a project with several others to write a history of the American Federation of Teachers, a group with which he was very involved when it established a chapter at the University in 1937. There are several folders of materials strictly devoted to his research and activity for the organization. Freeman was an accomplished public speaker and his personal papers reflect the numerous subjects on which he lectured. He was often called upon to speak on political ideologies and social issues.

 

Edmund Laws Freeman was born on May 10, 1893 in Cameron, Missouri. In 1915, he received his A.B. in English and mathematics from Missouri Wesleyan College. He studied British literature at Northwestern University and received his M.A. in 1917. During World War I, Freeman travelled to England and Ireland to serve with the British Y.M.C.A. Upon his return to the United States in 1918, he served in the U.S. Naval Air Service and then joined the faculty of Montana State University in Missoula in 1919. He studied at the University of London’s King’s College from 1922 to 1923. Freeman married Northwestern University graduate Mary Beazell in 1923, while still in London. The couple would have two children. Freeman focused mainly on nineteenth century British literature in his own studies, but in teaching for the English Department he often had to branch out into other periods and coached debate his first few years at the University. He maintained an interest in composition and continued to teach the course up until his retirement. An active faculty member, Freeman served with the High School Debate League, the University of Montana chapter of the American Association of University Professors, the University of Montana chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, the Public Exercises Committee, the Budget and Policy Committee, Appointments and Promotions, the Rhodes Scholarship Committee, and the President’s Advisory Council on University Goals. Freeman’s early writing work often dealt with classic British authors, nineteenth century conceptions of war, or Francis Bacon and his influence on British literature. He was also a frequent contributor to the University of Montana’s student newspaper, the Kaimin. Following his retirement, he began writing more columns and letters for Missoula area newspapers, including the Missoula daily paper the Missoulian, the independently operated People’s Voice, and the Kaimin, concerning social and political issues. The University of Montana awarded Edmund Freeman an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in June 1975 to recognize his service to scholarship and teaching during his forty years as a professor. Freeman passed away on November 23, 1976 while on his way to moderate a radio discussion on socialism.

 

Materials in English.

 

Finding aid available in the repository and on the Internet.

 

Related Resources

 

Finding aid http://nwda.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv02691

 

View this description in WorldCat: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/8620808