Faculty Records (University Of Maine). Professor Randel (William Peirce) Papers
Scope and Contents
The record group contains papers of William P. Randel. Although Randel was a English professor at the University of Maine, most of the material relates to Randels' writing career particuarly draft manuscripts, both published and unpublished written by Randel.
The record series Miscellaneous Manuscripts, Talks & Research Notes contains draft manuscripts on a range of subjects related to literature and history. Also, in many cases the folders include research and submissions to various publications. There’s also correspondence, research materials, drafts of articles, and copies of Maine legislative documents concerning higher education. There's also reference and research material on a range of subjects including the author Kenneth Roberts collected by Randel in preparation for a possible book about Roberts. Scripts from various lectures and talks given by Randel are included and details of recordings of the lectures available on cassette.
The record series Jane Randel Thesis & Copyright Research Material contain a copy of William’s wife Jane’s master’s thesis and her research on the subject of copyright.
The record series Aging Council Records contains material relating to aging from Randel's involvement in the National Council On Aging's American Issues Forum and Aging Advisory Committee.
The record series on Stephen Crane, Edward Eggleston, Joshua Slocum, and Frederick Delius all contain draft manuscripts, notes, and research material written and curated on the authors by Randel. There's also manuscripts and research on the following subjects related to American history, culture, literature, and architecture: American Centennial & Bicentennial, American Presidents, dissent, changing tastes, American Revolution and Independence, myths and reality, and peace.
The record series Correspondence includes both incoming letters and copies of outgoing letters. Including with various Maine politicians, especially William S. Cohen. It concerns current events of the time including higher education, world affairs, and issues of aging. The record series also contains a letter from Kingsley Amis as well as letters to colleagues, publishers and literary agents.
The record series Biographical & Administrative Records contains copies of Randel’s entries in “Who’s Who” and correspondence regarding the entries, copies of Randel’s resume, and a list of publications of the faculty of UMaine which Randel edited, and lists of University of Maine Committees.
The record series Dead End In Athens includes the manuscript for the mystery entitled "Dead End in Athens" which Randel wrote, but remained unpublished.
The record series Undertow includes a manuscript of the novel entitled "Undertow" which Randel wrote, but remained unpublished.
Dates
- Publication: 1800-1992
- Majority of material found within 1940-1990
Creator
- Randel, William Peirce, 1909-1996 (Person)
Restrictions on Access
Kept at Fogler Library's offsite storage facility. One week's notice required for retrieval.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Information on literary rights available in the repository.
Biographical Note
William Peirce Randel, a emeritus professor of English at the University of Maine, was born on January 7, 1909, in New York City, the son of William A. and Mabel Peirce Randel. He received a bachelor's degree from Columbia University, a master's from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from Columbia. He taught English at universities in Minnesota, Missouri, Wyoming and Florida as well as abroad before coming to Maine. He was the author of numerous books and articles on range of subjects and lectured widely. His published books included "American Revolution: Mirror of a People", "Centennial: American Life in 1876", "The Klu Klux Klan: A Century of Infamy", and the standard biography of Edward Eggleston.
Randel joined the University of Maine 1965 after a Fulbright assignment at the University of Bologna. During his tenure at the University of Maine Randel was the Lloyd H. Elliot Professor of English and served as chair of the Orono Council of Colleges. Randel retired from the University in 1974 with emeritus status.
William Randel married Janet Hosmer Belknap in 1931; they were residents of Waterboro, Maine. William Randel died in 1996.
Extent
16 boxes
1 box (Half size box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The Records Group is broken down intellectually into the following record series: 1. Miscellaneous Manuscripts, Talks & Research Notes, 2. Jane Randel Thesis & Copyright Research Material, 3. Aging Council Records, 4. Stephen Crane Manuscripts & Research Notes, 5. American Centennial & Bicentennial Manuscripts & Research Notes, 6. Edward Eggleston Manuscripts & Research Notes, 7. Correspondence, 8. Joshua Slocum Manuscripts & Research Notes, 9. American Presidents Manuscripts & Research Notes, 10. Dissent In America Manuscripts & Research Notes, 11. American Taste Manuscripts & Research Notes, 12. American Revolution & Independence Manuscripts & Research Notes, 13. Biographical & Administrative Records, 14. Frederick Delius Manuscripts & Research Notes, 15. The United States: Myths And Reality Manuscripts, 16. Dead End In Athens Manuscripts, 17. Peace Manuscripts & Research Notes, and 18. Undertow Manuscripts.
Physically the material is arranged by subject. File names and dates were added. Material was rehoused into archival quality storage.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Box 1 was a gift of Elizabeth P. Randel, Biddeford, Me. in July 2001. Boxes 2-15 were gifted as accession #2012-0813.
Appraisal
The processing archivist appraised the records and destroyed duplicate copies of items and also some reference material and research notes which in many cases were in poor physical condition, lose in boxes, and not of archival value.
Accruals
Accruals of records related to Professor Randel are not anticipated because he died in 1996.
General
Box 1 was formerly SpC MS 1346.
Processing Information
Box 1 was processed by Matthew Revitt, November 2018 and boxes 2-15 in February-March, 2019, Raymond H. Fogler Library Special Collections Department. Processing involved a collection survey and intellectual arrangement into series and the creation of this finding aid. The boxes and folders were numbered and titled using information from ArchivesSpace.
- Aging Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- American Revolution Bicentennial, 1976 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Amis, Kingsley
- Architecture Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Articles Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Authors, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Authors, American -- Manuscripts -- Maine Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Clippings Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Cohen, William S.
- Copyright Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Crane, Stephen, 1871-1900
- Delius, Frederick, 1862-1934
- Dissenters Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Eggleston, Edward, 1837-1902
- Literature Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Manuscripts Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Manuscripts for publication Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Myths Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Peace Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Periodicals Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Politicians -- Maine -- Correspondence Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Presidents Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Publications Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Publishers and publishing Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Randel, Janet Belknap
- Research notes Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Roberts, Kenneth Lewis, 1885-1957 -- Sources
- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- University of Maine -- Faculty
- Title
- University Of Maine. Professor Randel (William Peirce) Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Matthew Revitt
- Date
- November 29, 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English.
- Edition statement
- Revised in March, 2019 to add box 2 onwards.
Repository Details
Part of the Raymond H. Fogler Library University Archives Repository
5729 Raymond H. Fogler Library
University of Maine
Orono ME 04469-5729 United States
207-581-1686
