Thomas W. Sims papers
Scope and Contents
The Thomas W. Sims papers, 1931-1994 and undated, has been arranged into three series: Personal, Correspondence, and Written Works.
The Personal series (1945-1994 and undated) includes Sims's father's obituary, financial documents, bills, various receipts, programs, certificates, sketches, and one photograph. This series also includes an audiotape of the memorial tea that was given in honor of Sims in 1994 following his death.
The bulk of the Correspondence series (1944-1965 and undated) includes letters that Sims wrote to his parents while he was overseas during World War II. This series also includes miscellaneous correspondence to or from Sims.
The Written Works series (1931-1951 and undated) is the largest portion of the papers. This series is divided into three subseries: Cookbook Manuscript, Coursework, and Miscellaneous. The cookbook manuscript includes both handwritten and typed chapters of a cookbook focusing on domestic cuisine of the city of Belley, France, birthplace of Jean-AnthelmeBrillat-Savarin. The cookbook is written in English with some chapters in French that are noted at the folder level. The Coursework subseries includes undergraduate, graduate, and miscellaneous work of Sims. If it is not clear from the title or course number of the class, or if no course number is present, papers have been labeled as miscellaneous and are organized alphabetically by title at the end of the Coursework series. The coursework is primarily work that was done in English classes, Sims's area of specialty. The Miscellaneous subseries contains other written work done by Sims that can't be clearly identified as coursework. This subseries includes poems, plays, and other items. There are some poems in German that are indicated at the folder level.
Dates
- Creation: 1931-1994 and undated
Creator
- Sims, Thomas W., 1914-1994 (Person)
Language of Materials
English, French and German
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.
Historical Note
Thomas W. Sims was born in Viola, Illinois, 19 February 1914. He received his bachelor's degree in English at Augustana College in 1936. He served overseas in the Army during World War II in the ordnance department. Upon his return to the United States, Sims went on to receive his master's degree at the University of Chicago in 1946. He married Albertina Herbert 19 December 1948 in Abberville, Louisiana. Sims was Assistant Professor of English at Southwestern Louisiana University for 20 years. Apart from his role as professor, Sims also took part in extra-mural studies at Stratford-upon-Avon, where he attended courses on Shakespeare, and the University of London, where he completed a month-long study titled: "Art, Literature, and Music in England, 1660-1780." In 1968, he became a reference librarian at Augustana College and was in charge of the library's periodical collection until 1977, when he became a bibliographer. In 1980, Sims retired from Augustana as Professor Emeritus. He died 19 July 1994 in Rock Island, Illinois.
Extent
1.0 Cubic Feet (/ 3 boxes)
Abstract
Thomas W. Sims received his bachelor's degree in English at Augustana College in 1936. He served overseas in the Army during World War II in the ordnance department. Later, he served as an Assistant Professor of English at Southwestern Louisiana University and a reference librarian at Augustana College. The Thomas W. Sims papers date from approximately 1932-1994. The Thomas W. Sims papers, 1931-1994 and undated, contain Sims's personal papers, correspondence (including World War II letters), class notes, a cookbook manuscript, and other written works.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received from Thomas W. Sims, 1989, and Rev. Richard Swanson, 1994.
Processing Information
Processed by Joelle Khairallah, 2001. Revised by Emily Hughes Dominick, 2006, and Atticus Garrison, June 2016.
- Title
- Thomas W. Sims papers, 1931-1994 and undated.
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Atticus Garrison
- Date
- June 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States
specialcollections@augustana.edu