Gustavus Watts Cunningham letters, 1911-1944.
Collection Number: 14-21-796
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Gustavus Watts Cunningham letters, 1911-1944.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
14-21-796
Abstract:
Incoming correspondence from fellow philosophers, including forty-seven letters from
Richard Burdon, Viscount Haldane, in which he discusses the philosophical systems
of Hegel and Kant, comments on Cunningham's studies of Hegel and Henri Bergson, and
on the writings of Bergson, Bernard Bosanquet, Francis Herbert Bradley, John Dewey,
Albert Einstein, Alfred North Whitehead, and others. Reference is also made to world
events.
Creator:
Cunningham, Gustavus Watts, 1881-1968
Quanitities:
67 items.
Language:
Collection material in English
Professor of Philosophy, Middlebury College, 1908-1917, and the University of Texas,
1917-1927; chairman of the Sage School of Philosophy and Susan Linn Sage Professor
of Philosophy at Cornell, 1927-1949.
(Cornell University Ph.D. 1908)
Incoming correspondence from fellow philosophers, including forty-seven letters from
Richard Burdon, Viscount Haldane (1856-1928), in which he discusses the philosophical
systems of Hegel and Kant, comments on Cunningham's studies of Hegel and Henri Bergson,
and on the writings of Bergson, Bernard Bosanquet, Francis Herbert Bradley, John Dewey,
Albert Einstein, Alfred North Whitehead, and others, and refers to World War I, in
particular the condition of the French army, the situation in Russia in 1917, and
the presence of American troops in Europe, to his wartime posts in the British government,
and to his meeting (1919) with Woodrow Wilson; five letters from Herbert Wildon Carr,
mainly concerning the views and writings of Hegel, Bergson, and Benedetto Croce; one
or two letters each from Henry Rutgers Marshall, Stewart A. McDowell, Andrew Seth
Pringle-Pattison, and George H. Sabine; three letters from James E. Creighton, discussing
the "absolute problem," Cunningham's critique of a recently published book by Bosanquet,
presumably The Meeting of Extremes in Contemporary Philosophy, administrative matters
at both Texas and Cornell, and the decline of the "solid studies that promote discipline
of mind," the pitfalls of early specialization, and the "tremendous importance of
getting a few general critical ideas into the heads of college graduates"; and single
letters from William A Hammond, John Laird, T.V. Smith, and Frank Thilly, on personal
and professional matters.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Gustavus Watts Cunningham letters, #14-21-796. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections,
Cornell University Library.
Names:
Haldane, R. B. Haldane, 1st Viscount (Richard Burdon Haldane), 1856-1928.
Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich, 1770-1831.
Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804.
Bergson, Henri, 1859-1941.
Bosanquet, Bernard (Date of work: 1848-1923..)
Bradley, F. H. (Francis Herbert), 1846-1924.
Dewey, John, 1859-1952.
Einstein, Albert, 1879-1955.
Whitehead, Alfred North, 1861-1947.
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924.
Carr, Herbert Wildon, 1857-1931.
Croce, Benedetto, 1866-1952.
Marshall, Henry Rogers, 1852-1927.
McDowell, Stewart A.
Seth Pringle-Pattison, A. (Andrew), 1856-1931.
Sabine, George Holland, 1880-1961.
Creighton, James Edwin, 1861-1924.
Hammond, William A.
Laird, John, 1887-1946.
Smith, Thomas Vernor, 1890-1964.
Thilly, Frank, 1865-1934.
Cornell University. Department of Philosophy
Cornell University -- : Faculty.
University of Texas. Department of Philosophy
Subjects:
Philosophy, Modern.
World War, 1914-1918.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
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Description
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Date
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Scope and Contents
All the material in the collection may not be covered by this guide.
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Series I. Letters
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1911-02-11-1930-09 | ||
Box 1 |
Sabine, George H. (b.1880-d.1961)
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1911-02-11 | |
Scope and Contents
To Cunningham, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont. Suggests several persons for
Cunningham to send his thesis to: Bosanquet, A. S. Pringle-Pattison, Henry Jones.
Comments on pragmatism and its giving way to realism. TLS, 1 pc. & en. Also 1944 letter.
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Box 1 |
Pringle-Pattison, Andrew Seth (b.1891-d.1919)
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1911-06-20 | |
Scope and Contents
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discusses
some of Hegel's concepts. Comments on Cunningham's book. AIS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane, Richard Burdon (b. 1856 - d. 1928)
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1913-12-26 | |
Scope and Contents
28 Queen Annes Gate, S. W. England. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discuss Cunningham's
book Thought andReality in Hegel's System. The relationship of reality to Hegel's
phenomenology. AlS, 1 pc., 2 calling cards & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1914-01-25 | |
Scope and Contents
Windsor, Castle, London, Englalnd. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Thanks Cunningham
for his letter. Mentions (Thomas Henry, b.1836 - d. 1882) Green's Book Prolegomena
to Ethics. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1914-03-16 | |
Scope and Contents
28, Queen Annes Gate, London S. W., England. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Comments
on Francis Herbert Bradley's book Essays on
Truth and Reality. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1914-04-09 | |
Scope and Contents
Cloan, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Comments on
Pringle-Pattison's reactions to Cunningham's book on Hegel. Mentions Bradley's Essays
on Truth and Reality. ALS, 1pn. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1914-05-21 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Hopes he has received a book he sent and that Cunningham
will come to England soon. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1914-10-02 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Comments on a paper he has just read by Bergson,
based on a study of Kant, and on the war situation. ALS 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1915-01-20 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Thanks him for a paper on Bergson. Comments on
Phaenomenologie. Discusses Cunningham's interpretations of Hegel. Encourages Cunningham
to write a new book on philosophy. Comments on the war and his work in the Foreign
Office. ALS, 2 pcs. & en.
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Box 1 |
Carr, Herbert Wildon (b.1857-d.1931)
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1915-01-25 | |
Scope and Contents
10 More's Garden, Cheyne Walk, S. W., London, England. To Cunningham, Middlebury.
Discusses two Papers of Cunningham's which he had received, dealing with Duration
and Finality in regard to Bergson's works. Refers to Lucretius' idea that besides
the atoms there must be the void. TLS, 2pcs. & en.
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Box 1 |
Carr
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1915-2-15 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Is reading Cunningham's book on Hegel with much
interest. TLS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1915-03-21 | |
Scope and Contents
London.. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Is opposed to revision of Cunningham's last book.
Suggests rather a new book on nature of reality, which would lead to untrodden ground
and would involve interpreting Hegel detachedly. Prophesies that the new American
school will absorb the new realists and Bergson alike. In regard to the war, he comments,
that Germany must not be crushed, but must be purfied. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1915-06-04 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Is glad to hear that Cunningham is seriously thinking
about a new book. Explains why he is presently out of the government. ALS, 1pc. &
en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1915-08-09 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, n.p. Comments on his presently held political views and
past goals. Has just returned from France and discusses the army there. Says he is
delving more deeply into realism. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1915-10-17 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Is writing an address for the Aristotelian
Society on the new realism and objective realism. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Carr
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1915-11-06 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discusses the need of supplementary ideas to Bergson's
doctrine of intuition. Mentions Benedetto Croce's works in this connection. ALS, 1pc.
& en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1915-11-24 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, n.p. covering note. ALS, 1 pc.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1916-01-13 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Tells of a lecture he gave in Glasgow about
New Realism and Bradley's doctrine of the finite center. Had visited with Pringle-Pattison.
He is to return to London and politics shortly. The English are determined to win
the war. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1916-05-07 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Glad to have book on Bergson. Has been thinking
about the genesis of the New Realism. Reading has impressed him with fact that the
whole of modern philosophy exhibits a struggle for emancipation from the category
of substance. Says Leibnitz did not succeed, but paved way for Kant. Enlarges upon
the New Realism as a final protest against the view of mind as substance. Discusses
Hegel at length in this connection. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Carr
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1916-06-11 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Is happy that Cunningham has published the Philosophy
of Bergon. He is studying Benedetto Croce's works, especially his ideas on intuition.
ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1916-06-16 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Had attended memorial service for Lord Kitchener.
Comments of Cunningham's book on Bergson. Discusses creative finalism and the concept
of the absolute. Quotes several German passages from Hegel's Phaenomenologie. ALS,
2 pcs.
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Box 1 |
Pringle-Pattison
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1916-07-23 | |
Scope and Contents
Edinburgh. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Comments on Cunningham's work on Bergson. ALS,
1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1916-08-08 | |
Scope and Contents
To Cunningham, Middlebury. Wildon Carr is to review Cunningham's book. He is working
on educational problems and military matters for the government. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
McDowell, Stewart A.
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1916-08-20 | |
Scope and Contents
5 KingsgateStreet, Winchester, England. To Cunningham, Middlebury. He comments on
Bergson's work and its incomplete and unfinishable nature. Discusses the work in which
he, himself, is involved. ALS, 2 pcs. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1916-08-21 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discusses several points Cunningham has made
in his book about Bergson. Mentions Roy Sellar's book as being interesting. ALS, 2
pcs. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1916-09-18 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discusses the synthesis of reason. ALS, 1 pc.
& en.
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Box 1 |
McDowell
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1916-10-01 | |
Scope and Contents
Winchester. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Will wite a criticism on Bradley as soon as
he rereads the book. McDowell wrote two books: Evolution and the Need of Atonement
and Evolution and Spiritual Life. ALS, 1 pc. & En.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1916-10-15 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discusses Kant's ideas of truth. Is to confer
with a commission on the Dardanelles operation. Mentions a book, The Vindication of
Great Britain by Harold Seglre(?). ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Carr
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1916-11-06 | |
Scope and Contents
107 Church Street, Chelsea, London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Notice of change of
address. TLS, 1 pc.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1916-11-26 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discusses Seglre's(?) book and Subject-Object
Relations. Refers to Erdmann's book Leib und Seele. ALS, 2 pcs. & en.
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Box 1 |
Marshall, Henry Rutgers
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1917-02-27 | |
Scope and Contents
Century Club, 7 West 43rd Street, New York, New York. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Comments
on Cunningham's book on Bergson. Refers to Bergson's book Freedom of the Will. ALS,
1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1917-03-16 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Mentions recent events in Russia. Discusses Pringle-Pattison's
new book The Idea of God. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1917-05-27 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discusses the need for peace in the world. ALS,
1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1917-07-27 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Middlebury. Discusses the meaning of coherence and idealism.
Mentions that he is on a secret committee that is concerned with establishing new
governmental organizations. Mentions problems of Russia and Greece. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1917-09-19 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, University of Texas, Austin, Texas. Comments on Cunningham's
decision to go to Texas. Refers to a book entitled Organism and Environment. Mentions
Pringle-Pattison's recent book. About the Russian situation and the condition of the
French army. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1917-12-10 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, n.p. Has just finished a study of Bradley and comments on
it. Mentions the Russian collapse. ALS, 1 pc.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1918-03-21 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Discusses the current state of affairs. Mentions Prince
Lichnowsky as confirming earlier impressions he had of Russia. Was visited by Pringle-Pattison.
ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1918-07-03 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Describes the situation on the French front. Is sending
him a copy of a philosophical paper he had witten. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1918-09-16 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. Comments on the activities of the American forces
in Europe. Mentions that Lord Grey and the Archbishop of Canterbury had visited him.
Discussion of degrees of realities. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1919-01-02 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. Describes Woodrow Wilson's reception in England
and his meeting the President. Discusses a ook he is writing and a few problems he's
having. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1919-10-09 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. He's working on his book on degrees in knowledge
and reality. Mentions recent railroad strike. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1919-12-04 | |
Scope and Contents
Cloan, Auchterarder, Perthshire. To Cunningham, University of Texas. Much more to
be worked out on relation of knowledge to reality. Is pure old controversy between
idealism and realism is about to be superseded. Is difficult to work on book because
of pressure of political business. Has had to write a book on prewar diplomacy and
military preparations: says the books of Admiral [von] Tirpitz and Bethmann-Hollweg
have forced him to speak. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1920-04-08 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. Feels teaching gives one time to write and study
as well. He is quite busy with government work. Says that philosophy and physics are
in a state of transition. Mentions Bosanquet's Philosophical Theory of the State.
ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1920-09-10 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. Refers to Einstein and his theories. Hopes to finish book but still has
to contend with public duties. Mentions Einstein's book on relativity and Whitehead's
Concept of Nature. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1921-05-11 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Will send a copy of his book The Reign of Relativity.
ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Creighton, James Edwin (b.1861-d.1931)
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1921-08-14 | |
Scope and Contents
Ithaca, N.Y. To Cunningham, Texas. Discusses the problems of the University of Texas
is having with the state legislature in regard to appropriations for the University.
Mentions that Livingstone Farrand is to be the new President of Cornell and discusses
his background. Asks Cunningham to write a review of Haldane's book and recounts a
meeting he had with him. A discussion of the nature of reason. TLS, 2 pcs. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1921-08-29 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. Is involved with the idea of mathematical physics
and the new quantum theory. Is working on a portion of address he is to deliver at
the University of Dublin which he plans to include in a volume entitled Philosophical
Significance of Humanism. Lord Grey is visiting. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1922-02-22 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Has read Professor Dewey's book. His will be published
soon. Discusses the fundamental character of knowledge. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Creighton
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1922-06-26 | |
Scope and Contents
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. To Cunningham, Texas. Discusses Cunningham's
ideas on a book for introductory philosophy. Emphasizes the importance of philosophical
knowledge to a college graduate in avoiding the pitfalls that seem to accompany specialization.
Comments on the critique Cunningham had written of a book, apparently the Meeting
of Extremes in Contemporary Philosophy (1921) [See The Philosophical Review, XXXI,
pp.495-510, 593-598] KJ.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1922-07-12 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Refers to articles by an unknown philosopher and comments
on certain problems posed therein. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1922-08-24 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. Comments on Bosanquet's article in The Philosophical
Review. He's been working on his book. Mentions Hegel's Encyclopedia Logic, also Goethe's
Philosophic aur Seinen Werken by Max Herracker. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Creighton
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1922-11-27 | |
Scope and Contents
Ithaca, New York. To Cunningham, Texas. A discussion of the Absolute Question. Hopes
he will come back East for a visit. Further reference to Bosanquet. TLS, 2 pcs. &
en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1923-09-26 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. Glad to hear that Cunningham had been back to Ithaca
for a while. Discusses Bosanquet's article. Mentions his interest in mathematical
physics and a visit to Cambridge in that connection. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1924-03-02 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Enjoyed Cunningham's article in The Philosophical Review
on Bosanquet and finds himself in agreement with his points. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1925-01-08 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. Has just read Cunningham's Problems of Philosophy.
Discusses it and suggests firms in England that might publish it. Mentions that he
led the opposition in the House of Lords. He also presides over the hearing of appels
for the different parts of the Empire to the Supreme Tribunal in London. Comments
on his bachelorhood. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1925-02-25 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Has written the introduction for the English edition
of Cunningham's book. Describes his general daily scehule in London. Comments on the
difference between mathematics and philosophy. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1925-10-28 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Thanks him for a copy of his Lectures on the Problems
of the Mind. Mentions a new book by John Dewey, Experience and Nature, and discusses
some of the points he makes in it. Is having trouble with the writing of his own book.
ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Thilly, Frank (b.1865-d.1934)
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1926-05-28 | |
Scope and Contents
9 East Avenue, Ithaca, New York. To Cunningham, Texas. Refers to a previous letter
and understands Cunningham's position. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Laird, John (b.1887-d.1934
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1926-08-31 | |
Scope and Contents
Milestone House, Blackwater, Hampshire, England. To Cunningham, Harvard University,
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Hopes he is enjoying the Congress of Philosophy at Harvard.
Says his trip home was pleasant. Hampshire is a lovely area. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1926-09-20 | |
Scope and Contents
Perthshire. To Cunningham, Texas. Comments on an article of Cunningham's on Bosanquet.
Is sending a copy of his book. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Laird
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1926-10-17 | |
Scope and Contents
University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland. To Cunningham, Texas. Scotland is having
lovely weather. He broke his toe. There is a coal shortage. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1926-12-03 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunnington, Texas. Would like him to send any reviews of his book that
might be published in the U.S.A. Is quite busy. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1927-01-17 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. He hopes Cunningham will accept the position at Cornell.
His book, Pathway to Reality, has come out in a new volume. Discusses a series of
lectures to be delivered at Oxford relating to metaphysics. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Hammond, William Alexander (b.?-d. 1938)
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1927-01-18 | |
Scope and Contents
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. To Cunningham, Texas. Is glad to hear that Cunningham
has accepted a position at Cornell. TLS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Haldane
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1927-04-11 | |
Scope and Contents
London. To Cunningham, Texas. Is happy to hear that he is going to Cornell. Hopes
he will continue to study and write. ALS, 1 pc. & en.
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Box 1 |
Smith, T. V. (b.1890-d.?)
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1927-07-17 | |
Scope and Contents
Syracuse, N. Y. To Cunningham, Texas. Had just visited Cornell and discourses on its
beautiful scenery and the feeling of closeness he had to Cunningham there at his Alma
Mater. TLS, 2 pcs. & en.
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Box 1 |
Miscellaneous
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1930-05-1930-09 | |
Scope and Contents
Receipts, vouchers, and tickets to the Seventh
International Congress of Philosophy held in Oxford, England. 7 pcs. & en.
NAE - 1964-12, 1965-01,1972-04 KJ
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