Jacob Gould Schurman papers, 1867-1942, [1986].
Collection Number: 3-4-6

Letters received by Schurman range from the time of his student days abroad to notes of condolence received by family members upon his death in 1942. A few letters from Schurman to his recipients were retained in this file. Schurman's correspondents in this selection of letters include major philosophers, Presidents of the United States, family members, mentors, colleagues, students, admirers, and international diplomats and heads of state. The entire breadth of Schurman's professional careers and aspects of his family life are illuminated in these letters. His fundraising for the University of Heidelberg is clearly outlined, as well as his strong advocacy of Philippine independence, his close interest in German political affairs, and his personal relationship with several international scholars and political leaders. Other topics include the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and international anti-imperialist movements. Philippine, Chinese, Japanese, and German affairs figure prominently in these letters. The letters from his presidency refer to Cornell University administration and relations with the Trustees. Major correspondents include William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, David Starr Jordan, Sao-ke Alfred Sze, Gustav Stresemann, Frank H. Hiscock, Mynderse Van Cleef, Johannes Hoops, John D. Rockefeller, George Eastman, Sergio Osmeña, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Andrew Seth Pringle-Pattison.

The letterbook copy impressions of letters written by Schurman as President of Cornell University profile both his personal character and formal manner in the execution of his administrative duties. A few letters of Charles Kendall Adams commence the letterbooks, and Acting Presidents are the signatories of several letters, notably T. F. Crane 1912 and 1913 when Schurman was serving as Ambassador to Greece, and Acting President Albert W. Smith in 1920 and 1921. Volumes 1-50 are letters signed by President Schurman; volumes 51-80 are letters signed by President Schurman's Secretary on behalf of the Office of the President.

In addition to the routine administrative subjects in the correspondence that devolved typically from the Office of the President of Cornell, topics include the 1903 typhoid epidemic in Ithaca, the establishment of the Carnegie Fund, the Leo Frank case, the Chi Psi fire, the construction of several new campus buildings, co-education and women students, African-American students on campus, and relations with Ithaca, New York. Other topics and concerns in the letterbooks include the president's relations with faculty, college benefactors, and presidents of other universities; also, fraternities and campus housing, foreign students, religious education, and Sage Chapel preachers. President Schurman made several appearances before alumni groups throughout the nation, and correspondence to this effect is plentiful. Cornell's relations with other universities, other associations of American universities, and educational societies are mentioned frequently. The element of publicity is suggested by Schurman's many letters to newspapers, magazines, and publishers. The university's role in World War I is shown as the president assists in the mobilization of resources and facilitates the university's preparation of its students to become soldiers; letters to the United States War Department are numerous. The development of the New York State College of Agriculture and the New York State Veterinary College at Cornell is referred to in many letters, as well as a proposed School of Forestry. Schurman corresponded frequently with Andrew Carnegie, and with officials of the Carnegie Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation. He also wrote many letters to immediate family members of Ezra Cornell.

Principal recipients of letters include Lyman Abbott, Liberty Hyde Bailey, Frank Barton, C. E. Bennett, Charles H. Blood, George Boldt, G. P. Bristol, J. E. Creighton, L. M. Dennis, W. A. Hammond, Frank H. Hiscock, Charles Evans Hughes, C. H. Hull, David Starr Jordan, A. T. Kerr, D. S. Kimball, Albert R. Mann, Veranus A. Moore, Jared T. Newman, Henry S. Pritchett, C. W. Pound, W. M. Polk, Robert F. Plummer, Theodore Roosevelt, H. W. Sackett, M. W. Sampson, A. W. Smith, Goldwin Smith, William Howard Taft, Frank Thilly, Mynderse Van Cleef, Andrew Dickson White, J. DuPratt White, W. F. Willcox, and C. V. P. "Tar" Young. In addition to these principal recipients, many additional names are listed in the index, including such important Cornell personalities as Willard Straight, E. B. Titchener, and Martha Van Rensselaer.

The collection contains letters exchanged among several members of the Schurman family, and includes handwritten transcripts of nearly illegible handwriting. As Schurman and members of his family traveled throughout the world, letters home provide a narrative account of both family and professional developments.

A collection of holographic, typescript, and printed versions of speeches delivered or published by Schurman, concerning the several themes of his career: religion and moral philosophy, education, and political developments in the Philippines, Japan, China, Greece, and Germany. The series includes many addresses and speeches given on campus during his presidency

These files concern Germany, the Philippines, and China; also Cornell University, United States political affairs, international relations, and education. The series includes a few of Schurman's personal papers, financial information, and miscellaneous notes and drafts. Also, material relating to the February 8, 1986 "Schurman Day" at the University of Heidelberg, with articles about Schurman and his relationship with the University of Heidelberg by John Silber, Frank H. T. Rhodes, and Detlef Junker

A comprehensive project involved members of the staff of the President's Office and others in chronicling Schurman's career. In some cases, a newspaper printing of a speech delivered by Schurman is the only copy of the speech to be found in the collection. Caricatures of Schurman as printed in newspaper stories are in the clippings, as well as an account of his touting of Charles Evans Hughes for the Presidency of the United States, and his vigorous promotion of Philippine independence. Similarly, affairs in other parts of the world, and Schurman's interest in or involvement with these, can be traced in the clippings.

Four main topics are documented photographically: the Philippines, Germany, China, and Schurman personal and family life. Formal and casual photographs are included, each style tracing Schurman's path from university president to international ambassador.

Photographic Portraits of Jacob Gould Schurman; with President Taft, and Andrew Carnegie. Schurman in Japan, at home, and at Cornell University

Many forms of material and documentation associated with Schurman and his personal and profession activities appear in this series, including many that document his fundraising for the University of Heidelberg and the reverent esteem for him that ensued. Examples of chinoiserie are included, and a temperance union scroll petition protesting Cornell student revelry and drunkenness on campus; notably, the first signatory of several hundred, is Liberty Hyde Bailey. Schurman family members' diplomas and Schurman's honorary degree diplomas are included. Other proclamations and diplomas acknowledge Schurman's many accomplishments and ventures, as well as his penchant for collecting art and other material representations of world culture.

Includes an address by Schurman and a response by Karl Heinsheimer, also a book "Das Schone" of paintings translated by Schurman.

Sterling silver box presented to "Jacob Gould Schurman as the Ameriacan Ambassador to Germany with the Affectionate Regard of his Peking Staff." Cover has engraved signatures of his staff.

Album of items pertaining to the dedication of Schurman Hall at Heidelberg University in Germany and the painting and plaque there. In presentation box marked donated by Richard W. Kehrt in loving memory of his wife Suzanne D. Schurman, granddaughter of Jacob Gould Schurman.