William T. Patten Foundation

The William T. Patten Foundation was founded at Indiana University in May 1931 by Indiana University alumnus William T. Patten. The Foundation hosts scholars from various institutions and disciplines to give lectures in his/her area of expertise. This collection contains files on each scholar who has assumed the role of Patten Lecturer since 1968.

From the description of William T. Patten Foundation lectures records, 1938-2011, bulk 1981-2008. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 719450247

The William T. Patten Foundation invites eminent and renowned scholars to lecture at Indiana University in an effort to afford students increased opportunities for varied intellectual discourse. Past lecturers have included Julian Huxley, George Sarton, George Luis Borges, Toni Morrison, Donna Haraway, Evelyn Fox Keller, Noam Chomsky, and Edward Said. The Foundation’s campus-wide committee decides upon potential lecturers based on their contributions to scholarship and their ability to relate the importance of their studies to a lay audience. Lecturers originally visited campus for six weeks; lecturers today visit for one week at a time, visiting classes and giving two public lectures.

William T. Patten was born August 10, 1867, in Sullivan County, Indiana. During his undergraduate career at Indiana University, Patten served as associate editor for the student newspaper and competed in oratorical contests, in addition to pursuing other work to fund his education. He graduated in 1893 with an AB in history. Patten then moved to Indianapolis where he worked in real estate and politics and served as county auditor.

In 1931, Patten willed the bulk of his estate to Indiana University with the understanding that the University would utilize the funds to establish a distinguished interdisciplinary lecture series. He was particularly proud of Indiana University and the opportunities it presented to fellow Hoosiers and hoped his gift would help the University to further its intellectual reputation. Upon Patten’s death in 1936, the University launched the William T. Patten Foundation and Lecture Series.

From the guide to the William T. Patten Foundation lectures records, 1938-2013, bulk 1981-2008, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)