Identity elements
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Richard Lewis Aldrich papers
Date(s)
- 1930-1965 (Creation)
- Undated (Creation)
Extent
3 Boxes
Name of creator
Biographical history
Richard Lewis Aldrich (1897-1976) first taught at the University of Miami on October 1, 1947 as a lecturer in the Department of Art History, and was appointed Associate Professor the following year.
Prior to his appointment, Dr. Aldrich attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor's degree. He attended Harvard University from 1921-23, and received a Master's degree from the University of Arizona in 1936. Aldrich completed his doctoral work in 1942 after five years of study at the University of Michigan. He then taught for brief periods at San Jose State College and Wesleyan College.
During his fifteen years at the University of Miami, Aldrich taught classes and organized a number of student trips for the summer semesters. Aldrich "an expert on Oriental, as well as pre- Columbia and Hispanic American cultures," conducted a University of Miami archaeological survey of the southwestern United States. This survey led to the establishment of the University's annual student workshops in Oaxaca, Mexico. Summer school sessions took University of Miami students to Mexico for studies in history, Spanish, archaeology, painting, and art history.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The Richard Lewis Aldrich Papers contain the manuscript of his book Style in Mexican Architecture, published by the University of Miami Press in 1968, as well as a number of essays written by Aldrich during his graduate study.
The files also include classroom notes and exams, bibliographies, research notes, personal correspondence, five student term papers dated 1936-62, poetry records concerning his employment at the University of Miami and newspaper clippings on a Miami Beach gallery showing of his watercolor works.
Additional files contain domestic and foreign newspaper clippings, as well as a photograph, of a glider plane developed in 1922 by Edmund Allen. In correspondence, Aldrich mentions Allen indicating that the glider constructor/pilot, who was probably a close friend, assisted Aldrich and enabled him to complete his many years of study.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
This collection is open for research.
Physical access
Items from this collection are kept on-campus and may be requested from the first floor Kislak Center in the Otto G. Richter Library at University of Miami.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Richard Lewis Aldrich Papers Finding Aid© 2006 University of Miami. All rights reserved. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Head of Special Collections.
Languages of the material
- English