Munn, James Buell.

James Buell Munn (September 24, 1890 - February 13, 1967) came to Washington Square College in February, 1920, as an English instructor. When he resigned in February, 1932, to accept a position in the Harvard University English Department, he was Dean of the College. During this period Munn served as director of the Washington Square College Section of the Extramural Division (1922-23) and director of the Evening Division (1923-24). He became Assistant Dean of the College in 1925 and Dean in 1928.

Munn made anonymous donations to the library, laboratory and student facilities. He also funded the education of a significant number of young men, and a few women, who would otherwise not have been able to afford a college education. Munn often gave students that were close to him the use of the library at his 58th Street home, evenings at the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, summers at the Munn family farm near Rochester, New York, and financial help for needed clothing and books. The correspondence between Munn and the "Munn Students" illustrates the close, supportive relationship Munn established with these students. In 1925 the Washington Square College yearbook, <title render="italic">Album</title>, was dedicated to him.

The Collection documents Munn's commitment that Washington Square College serve the New York City community by providing both the traditional collegiate education and necessary pre-professional training of its students. Munn interpreted the College's role to be the provision of traditional educational experiences, and preparation for personal and vocational success.

Munn's grandfather, Edwin G. Munn (April 7, 1804-December 12, 1847), was an ophthalmologist with a medical practice in Scottsboro, New York. He often paid for patients' medical treatment when they could not afford it. Edwin G. Munn's office records and medical library have been deposited at the University of Rochester.

Munn's grandmother, Aristine Pixley Munn, donated land for the Woman's College at the University of Rochester.

Munn's father, John Pixley Munn (December 11, 1846-August 15, 1931), had a medical practice in New York City. He was personal physician to Russell Sage and Jay Gould* Starting out as medical examiner of the United States Life Insurance Company of New York City, he eventually became the company's president, and served on the boards of directors of several railroads and banking houses. He was a trustee at New York University from 1892 until his death in 1931, and ex-officio treasurer of the Woman's Advisory Committee (established in 1890 when women were first admitted to the University's School of Pedagogy). As a member of the University Council, John Pixley Munn was instrumental in the merger between his alma mater, the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, with the University Medical School in May, 1898. A gift from him to the University in 1925 helped construct a temporary twelve-story building for the School of Education (completed in 1930) until a larger, permanent building could be financed. John Pixley Munn also served as a trustee at the University of Rochester from 1886 until 1931; he was president of the Board during most of these years.

Munn's mother, Martha Buell Plum Munn (August 2, 1856-September 13, 1926), served New York University as treasurer of the Woman's Advisory Committee and president of the Woman's Legal Education Society (which administered the Woman's Law Class). Mrs. Munn worked closely in these endeavors with Mrs. Russell Sage and Helen M. Gould, and lectured to women's classes in finance and law. In 1918 she established the Woman's Law Class Gown Fund to provide for repair and replacement of graduation gowns. Mrs. Munn also established several scholarship funds at New York University in honor of William A. Wheelock (former Council member, $450), the Rev. George Alexander (minister of The First Presbyterian Church of New York City and Munn family friend, $450) and James Buell (Mrs. Munn's grandfather, $4,500). In 1914 Mrs. Munn gave the University a $300 gift that was used for repairs in Main Building. Mrs. Russell Sage established a $500 scholarship fund in honor of Mrs. Munn. Mrs. Munn's daughter, Aristine Pixley Munn-Recht, served as Washington Square College's first Dean of Women from 1917 until the early 1920's. The papers of John Pixley and Martha Buell Plum Munn have been deposited at the Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester.

Munn's interest in New York University did not end with his resignation from Washington Square College in 1932. Although he remained at Harvard for 25 years until his retirement in 1957, he maintained contact with his former colleagues and students. Ruth Crosby Hanford Munn, whom Munn married in 1932, also corresponded with Munn's former colleagues and students until her death in August, 1976. In 1945 New York University awarded Munn an Honorary Degree. In 1963 his former students established the James Buell Munn Scholarship Fund.

<emph render="bold">Appendix</emph>

For references to James Buell Munn in the New York University Archives, please see Card Catalog under MUNN, J.B.

<emph render="bold">References include:</emph>

<list><item>Recollections of former faculty and students;</item><item>References to Munn in oral history interviews conducted by Bayrd Still</item><item>Elmer E. Brown Papers</item><item>Jacob Fisher's autobiographical memoir of student life at Washington Square College during the 1920's (<title render="italic">On Vanishing Ground</title>, 1979).</item></list>

<emph render="bold">Further references to Munn in the New York University Archives include:</emph>

<list><item>Harry Woodburn Chase Papers</item><item>Washington Square Yearbook, <title render="italic">Album</title>, for the years 1921-1932 (including pictures of Munn and his students);</item><item>Report of the Dean of Washington Square College by Munn in New York University: Reports of Officers to Chancellor, for the years 1927-1928; 1928-1929; 1929-1930; 1930-1931</item><item>Department of Fine Arts, Excerpts from Minutes of Board of Trustees, 1927-1930;</item></list>

<emph render="bold">Published Writings by Munn include:</emph>

<list><item>Blum, David L, <title render="italic">Some Recent New York University Verse</title>, New York: New York University Press, 1926; see "Introduction." (copy in NYU Archives)</item><item>Jones, Theodore Francis, ed., <title render="italic">New York University: 1832-1932</title>, New York: New York University Press, 1933; See chapter "The Washington Square College."</item><item>Munn, J.B. and Watt, H.A., <title render="italic">Ideas &amp; Forms in English and American Literature</title>, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, New York: Scott Foresman &amp; Co., 1925, 1932.</item></list>

<emph render="bold">References to Martha Buell Plum Munn in the New York University Archives include:</emph>

<list><item>H. M. McCracken Papers</item><item>Washington Square College yearbook, <title render="italic">Album</title>, 1923, p. 213 (includes picture).</item></list>