Arnett, Trevor, 1870-

Trevor Arnett, a graduate of the University of Chicago in 1898, served as Trustee of the University from 1916 to 1922, from 1926 to 1928, and from 1937 to 1941. He was born in Little Hereford, England in 1870. He studied at the University of Minnesota as well as the University of Chicago, and he received honorary degrees from Carleton College in 1926 and from Colby College in 1939. He served as Secretary of the General Education Board from 1920 to 1924 and as President from 1928 to 1936. He was also president of the International Education Board from 1928 to 1936. He served as a trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation, the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, the Davison Fund, Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and was President of the Board of Trustees of Spelman College. Arnett entered the service of the University of Chicago in 1896 as President Harper's personal auditor, served as chief accountant from 1899 to 1900, and as auditor from 1901 to 1922. In 1924, he became Vice President and Business Manager of the University, a position he held until 1926. Arnett was recognized as the foremost authority in the United States on fiscal accounting and financial administration of colleges and universities, and he was the author of various publications dealing with this subject, including College and University Finance published in 1922. He died in 1955.

The earliest documents in this collection date to the period before the official opening of the University of Chicago in October 1892. This collection thus documents aspects of the history of the founding of the University, the creation of its institutional structure, and the roles of key figures in its establishment, such as Thomas W. Goodspeed, Frederick T. Gates, John D. Rockefeller, Sr., and William Rainey Harper.

Administrative files from the opening of the University to the end of the Ernest D. Burton's term, 1892-1925, cover a broad range of educational and organizational issues including structural changes, policy questions, financial matters, buildings, curricular decisions, and student life. The files of presidents Harper, Judson, and Burton also reveal the many ways in which the University of Chicago served as a sounding board for the social, political and economic issues of its day. Civic organizations and lobby groups appealed to the president for support as an influential community leader. Solicitations and proposals were also received from many other organizations, among them the Anti-Cigarette League, the Indian Rights Association, American Mayflower Council, Central Organization for a Durable Peace, Chicago Grand Opera Company, Friends of the Blind, and the International Irrigation Congress.

The early University presidents were equally interested in open communication with related institutions. William Rainey Harper served as an officer in the Alliance Française and Ernest DeWitt Burton on the Oriental Education Commission. University of Chicago presidents sought advice from fellow presidents on policy questions, and exchanges were set up for professors and students. Presidents frequently served as hosts for visiting diplomats and dignitaries, including Ferdinand Foch, who was awarded an honorary degree in 1921, and the Prince of Wales, who visited the University on his trip to Chicago in 1924. International events, such as World War I, are also reflected in this collection.