Brosnan, Cornelius J. (Cornelius James), 1882-

Professor of History, University of Idaho, 1921-1952.

From the description of Papers, 1917-1950. (University of Idaho Library). WorldCat record id: 42929122

Cornelius James Brosnan was born in Dowagiac, Michigan, June 14, 1882, the son of Thomas and Mary (Brady) Brosnan.

After receiving his A.B. degree from the University of Michigan in 1905 he became a teacher and administrator in the public schools of Eau Clair, Michigan. Following his marriage to Anne Stapleton of Eau Clair on July 27, 1909, he became superintendent of schools in Mount Carroll, Illinois. In 1912 the Brosnans moved to Idaho where he served as superintendent of schools in Nampa, then as the head of the history department in Boise High School for several years. From 1920 - 1921 he was an Austin Scholar at Harvard University, and after receiving his M.A. from that institution in 1921 he returned to Idaho as a member of the history faculty at the University of Idaho. In order to complete his doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, Prof. Brosnan took a leave of absence during the 1928/29 school year. In 1930 he became head of the Department of American History.

One of Dr. Brosnan's achievements at the University of Idaho was the development of the annual trophy essay contest sponsored by the Idaho chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. In addition to teaching he did extensive historical writing on the northwest; he was the author of a book on the Oregon pioneer missionary Jason Lee, a book which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. He also wrote a history of Idaho which was used in public schools for many years, and he wrote the Idaho sections for several encyclopedias. He was a Fellow of the American Geographical Society, a member of the American Historical Association, the Northwest Scientific Association and the Oregon Historical Society.

In July and August 1934 he took part in the National Centennial Celebration of Jason Lee's pilgrimage from Boston to Oregon. This celebration was sponsored by the board of home missions and church extensions of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Joining the caravan in Colorado, he delivered the main address at each of twenty programs held in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho.

Dr. Brosnan retired from the university in 1952 and was created Professor of American History Emeritus. After his retirement he was visiting professor of history at Whitworth College, Spokane, Washington.

Following the death of his wife, November 23, 1958, Prof. Brosnan moved to Sacramento, California, to be near his son; his daughter lived in Prosser, Washington. In mid-January 1961 he suffered a stroke and died several days later, on January 18. He was buried in Moscow on Monday, January 23, 1961.

From the guide to the Papers, 1917-1950, (University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives)