Sheldon, Henry Davidson, 1874-1948

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Educator, Dean of the School of Education at the University of Oregon, and author.

From the description of Papers, 1890-1948. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 19578418

Henry Davidson Sheldon earned his A.B. in history, 1896, and A.M. in education, 1897, at Stanford University and his Ph.D. at Clark University in 1900. He was on the faculty of the University of Oregon.

From the description of Henry Davidson Sheldon typescript articles, 1911-1926 and undated. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 754864128

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Henry Davidson Sheldon earned his A.B. in history, 1896, and A.M. in education, 1897, at Stanford University and his Ph.D. at Clark University in 1900. He was on the faculty of the University of Oregon.

From the guide to the Henry Davidson Sheldon typescript articles, 1911-1926, undated, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)

Henry Davidson Sheldon, born October 3, 1874 en route to California, was the son of New York emigres who settled in San Luis Obispo, and later Santa Clara, California. He was educated at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California and received his BA (1896) and MA (1897) from Stanford. His doctoral work was done at Clark University. Sheldon married Florence Perry whom he met in Worcester, Massachusetts and, with her, raised a son and daughter.

Sheldon began his career at the University of Oregon in 1900 as a professor of education and history, bringing with him a progressive view of education. With the child-centered school as their focus, he and his colleagues, Joseph Schafer, O.F. Stafford and Herbert C. Howe, worked to professionalize teacher training, raise state certification requirements, broaden the curricula of the University, and extend its reach through correspondence courses, extension classes, and summer school. Sheldon also worked hard to increase financial support for the University.

From August, 1911 to June, 1912 Sheldon studies in England and Germany. He returned to the University of Oregon in 1913 as Dean of the School of Education, which graduated the greatest number of high school teachers in the states. He joined the presidential advisory council in 1917 and served that body until 1933. During the 1920's the School of Education grew both in size and prominence under Sheldon's guidance. In this period he published a bibliography on the history of Oregon, began documenting the history of the University of Oregon, pressed for higher base salaries at the University, and directed several theses on the history of education in Oregon.

The 1930's was a period of production and recovery for Sheldon. He began to write the history of the University of Oregon, postponing a history of political liberalism and its relation to education. In 1933 he fell victim to tuberculosis and remained in the state TB hospital at Salem through March, 1935.

In 1942 he retired to emeritus status, continuing to teach only American civilization and the history of education. Sheldon retired from all teaching in 1947 at age 73 and died in 1948, leaving unfinished the history of liberalism project and a history of education in Oregon.

From the guide to the Henry Davidson Sheldon papers, 1890-1948, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Henry Davidson Sheldon papers, 1890-1948 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn James Hitchman research collection, 1872-1980 Western Washington University Heritage Resources
creatorOf Sheldon, Henry Davidson, 1874-1948. Henry Davidson Sheldon typescript articles, 1911-1926 and undated. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Henry Davidson Sheldon papers, 1890-1948 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Henry Davidson Sheldon typescript articles, 1911-1926, undated Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Veazie, Arthur Lyle. Arthur Lyle Veazie papers [manuscripts], circa 1920-1950. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
creatorOf Sheldon, Henry Davidson, 1874-1948. Papers, 1890-1948. University of Oregon Libraries
referencedIn Schafer, Joseph, 1867-1941. Letters to Henry Sheldon [microform], 1902-1940. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Almack, John C. (John Conrad), 1883-1953. person
associatedWith Barnes, Donald. person
associatedWith Barnes, Mary Sheldon, 1850-1989. person
associatedWith Benjamin, Harold Raymond Wayne, 1893-1969. person
associatedWith Burk, Frederic. person
associatedWith Burnham, William Henry, 1855-1941. person
associatedWith Burton, William Henry, 1890-1964. person
associatedWith Chambers, Will Grant. person
associatedWith Clark University (Worcester, Mass.) corporateBody
associatedWith Clark University (Worcester, Mass.): History corporateBody
associatedWith Cleveland, Alfred A. person
associatedWith Cubberley, Ellwood Patterson, 1868-1941. person
associatedWith Fong, Walter N. person
associatedWith Gibbs, Lincoln R. person
associatedWith Hall, G. Stanley (Granville Stanley), 1844-1924. person
associatedWith Hitchman, James H., 1932- person
associatedWith Huey, Edmund Burke, 1870-1913. person
associatedWith Hulme, Edward Maslin, 1871- person
associatedWith Ordahl, George. person
associatedWith Schafer, Joseph, 1867-1941. person
associatedWith Sheldon, Henry Davidson person
associatedWith Stanford University corporateBody
associatedWith University of Oregon corporateBody
associatedWith University of Oregon: Faculty corporateBody
associatedWith University of Oregon: History corporateBody
correspondedWith Veazie, Arthur Lyle. person
associatedWith Wilbur, Ray Lyman, 1875-1949. person
associatedWith Wilson, Louis N. person
associatedWith Young, Kimball, 1893-1972. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Oregon
Oregon
Subject
Education
Education
Education
Universities and colleges
Elementary and Secondary Education
Indians of North America
Liberalism
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1874-10-03

Death 1948-05-14

Americans

English

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