Pottle, Frederick A. (Frederick Albert), 1897-1987

Frederick Albert Pottle, the foremost scholar of James Boswell, was born in Center Lowell, Maine, on August 3, 1897. He received his B.A. from Colby College in 1917, served in an Army evacuation hospital from 1917 to 1919, and then entered Yale University, earning his M.A. in 1921, and his Ph.D. in 1925. He became a full professor at Yale in 1930 and was named Sterling Professor of English in 1944. His work on Boswell commenced with his doctoral dissertation. After Yale acquired the rare Boswell manuscripts in 1949, Pottle became editor-in-chief of the Yale Editions of the Private Papers of James Boswell, serving in this capacity until 1979. Additionally, he wrote a multi-volume biography of Boswell. During his tenure at Yale, Pottle was chairman of the English Department and director of graduate studies. He also served as a trustee of Colby College and the General Theological Seminary. He married Marion Isobel Starbird, on September 9, 1920. They had three children, Annette who died young, Christopher and Samuel. Pottle died on May 16, 1987.

From the description of Frederick Albert Pottle papers, 1861-1979 (inclusive), 1920-1979 (bulk). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702207648

From the guide to the Frederick Albert Pottle papers, 1861-1979, 1920-1979, (Manuscripts and Archives)