Thomas N. Barrows Presidential Papers

Collection

Identifier: LU-RG03-006

Staff Only

This collection is composed of the papers of Thomas N. Barrows, Dean of Lawrence College from 1935 to 1937 and President from 1937 to 1943. The bulk of the collection is correspondence sent and received dating from his tenure as President. Subjects discussed include the construction of the fraternity quadrangle and the administration of the college during the outbreak and early years of World War II. The collection also includes speeches, publications, and photographs.

Dates

1934-1966
1937-1943

Creator

Barrows, Thomas N. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Lawrence University does not hold the copyright for all materials in this collection. Uses beyond those allowed for fair use under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) require the researcher to secure permission from the copyright holder.

Extent

4.15 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

Thomas N. Barrows was born in 1900 in San Diego. The son of a college president, Barrows received his B.A. from the University of California in 1922, an M.A. from Columbia University, and an LL.D. from Ripon College. From 1928 to 1931 he was lecturer in economics at Columbia, and from 1931 to 1934 he was director of Woodmere Academy in New York. He left that position to become dean of Lawrence College, a position he held for two years before becoming president. Barrows served as the tenth president of Lawrence from 1937 to 1943, presiding over the college during the outbreak and early years of World War II. He was the college’s first non-Methodist president. During his presidency, the Fraternity Quadrangle was completed, and Charles and Mary Worcester donated funds to build an art center. Barrows also introduced a senior honors program based on independent study, which became an important part of Lawrence’s curriculum. His work within the Appleton community helped to improve relations between the city and the campus. He resigned due to ill health in 1943 and passed away in 1962.

Arrangement Note

Materials are arranged alphabetically by format and chronologically at the file level.

Method of Acquisition

The donor and date the collection was transferred to the University Archives are unknown. It was transferred to the University Archives prior to July 2005.