Columbia University. Dept. of History

Biographical notes:

BIOGHIST REQUIRED The School of Political Science began offering history courses to Columbia students in the 19th century. Francis Lieber was hired as the first Professor of History and Political Science leading to the beginning of the teaching of history at Columbia. Yet, the Trustees did not establish a separate Department of History until November, 1896. For further information on the development of the Department of History, see A History of the Faculty of Political Science, by R. Gordon Hoxie, et al., 1955, pp. 207-249.

The collection contains correspondence representing periods of tenure of five professors of history. Following are brief outlines of their careers at Columbia University. Frederick Barry (1876-1943), first holder of a chair in the United States devoted entirely to the History of Science, began teaching at Columbia in 1912 and taught until his death in 1943. Jacques Barzun (b. 1908) began lecturing in Columbia College in 1928 and remained at the University through his entire academic career. He became professor emeritus in 1975. The Department appointed Carlton J. H. Hayes (1882-1964) in 1907, before receiving his Ph.D. He became Seth Low Professor Emeritus in 1950. Austin P. Evans (1884-1962) began teaching at Columbia in 1915. He remained at Columbia until his retirement in 1951. John A. Krout (1897-1979) began teaching history at Columbia in 1922. He became Dean of Graduate Faculties in 1949, later Provost and eventually Vice-President of the University. He retired in 1958.

From the guide to the Department of History Records, 1890-1959, (Columbia University. University Archives-Columbiana Library, )