Sturgis Elleno Leavitt (1888-1976) was born in Newhall, Me. In 1914, he bagan his teaching career at the University of North Carolina, advancing through the ranks to Kenan Professor of Spanish and retiring in 1960. He was a widely recognized expert in Spanish literature and wrote and spoke extensively on the teaching of Spanish and on Pan-American international relations. Materials relating to Leavitt's career, includin.fffg a small amount of general correspondence, 1923 1960s, chiefly relating to awards Leavitt had received or to trips he had taken or was about to take. Only a few more substantive letters dealing with Spanish language or literature are included. There are also lengthy letters, 1911-1960s, that Leavitt wrote during his travels. These letters document travels in Europe, Latin and South America, and around the U.S. Also included are a few speeches, essays, and reports written by Leavitt, chiefly on the study and teaching of Spanish literature, biographical materials, clippings, materials relating to his 1952 trip to the west coast of South America for the U.S. State Department's Educational Exchange Program, materials from the centenary celebrations Leavitt attended of Cuban patriot Jose Marti in 1953 and Chilean scholar Jose Toribio Medina in 1952, and items relating to Leavitt's being named mayor for life of Zalamea de la Serena, Spain, in 1959. There are also a few photographs of Leavitt at various stages of his career.
