Samuel Richey Kamm Papers, 1927-1973 | Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections

By The Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections Staff

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Collection Overview

Title: Samuel Richey Kamm Papers, 1927-1973

ID: SC/089

Primary Creator: Kamm, Samuel Richey (1903-1973)

Extent: 17.0 boxes. More info below.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged by series with folder level control.

Subjects: Illinois -- History, Kamm, Samuel Richey, 1903-1973, Wheaton (Ill.) -- History, Wheaton College (Ill.) -- Faculty

Forms of Material: Articles, Correspondence, Photographs, Speeches

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Samuel Richey Kamm Papers are categorized according to biographical, professional and civic involvement. The professional material covers various workshops, committees, seminars and departmental/institutional matters, in addition to material relating to the City of Wheaton and the history of Illinois. Hundreds of file cards, featuring a vast array of research topics such as history, political science, culture, bibliographies, foreign affairs and education, are contained in five boxes and one small metal cabinet.

Biographical Note

Dr. S. Richey Kamm was a Wheaton College Professor of History, Political Science, and Social Science for 30 years. He was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin, on July 12, 1903, and grew up in Montfort. He graduated cum laude from Greenville College in 1925 with a major in History and minors in Biology and Greek. Upon graduating, he embarked on his teaching career which would last until he died in 1973. The institutions at which he taught before going to Wheaton were Wessington Springs Junior College (South Dakota), Seattle Pacific College (Washington), Monmouth Junior College (New Jersey), and Haddon Heights High School (New Jersey). While teaching, Dr. Kamm earned an M.A. in History from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in American History from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving that honor in 1939. His dissertation entitled, “The Civil War Career of Thomas A. Scott, Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Railroad,” is one illustration of his lifelong interest in railroads.

In 1940, Dr. Kamm began teaching at Wheaton College. By 1943, he had advanced from Assistant Professor to full Professor. His major interest was teaching, especially in Constitutional and Diplomatic American history, but he also found time for numerous other involvements both on and off campus. He was an active member of the Commission on Social Action of the National Association of Evangelicals, and he served as Public School Board President. On campus he served on many committees, among them Educational Policies and Curriculum, and Centennial Historical Projects.

During the 1959-1960 year, Dr. Kamm had the opportunity to be a Fulbright lecturer in Dacca, East Pakistan (Bangladesh). He had the distinguished honor of inaugurating a course in American History at Whitworth College, Seattle Pacific College, and Greenville College. He retired from the Wheaton College faculty in 1973. He was in route to Westmont College (California) to take up duties as a guest professor when he died of a heart attack on August 29, 1973.

Many things can be said of Dr. Kamm. He was an outstanding speaker, a brilliant scholar, and dedicated to all he undertook. Moreover, Dr. Kamm was a favorite classroom teacher and a well-loved man. He inspired many students to combine Christianity with their vocation, and many went into the government service with that in mind. Perhaps the highest tribute can be made by repeating what one of Dr. Kamm’s friends said when he died: "He was one of God’s gentlemen, a rare Christian who fused graciousness and scholarship in a beautiful way."

Subject/Index Terms

Illinois -- History
Kamm, Samuel Richey, 1903-1973
Wheaton (Ill.) -- History
Wheaton College (Ill.) -- Faculty

Administrative Information

Repository: Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections

Alternate Extent Statement: 16 linear feet

Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this collection.

Use Restrictions: Duplication may be restricted if copying could cause damage to items.

Acquisition Source: Gift

Acquisition Method: The date and circumstances of the donation of the collection is uncertain.

Preferred Citation: Samuel Richey Kamm Papers (SC-89), Wheaton College Special Collections, Wheaton, Illinois.

Other Note: The S. Richey Kamm papers detail the life and thirty-year career of a Wheaton College Professor of History, Political Science, and Social Science for 30 years. The collection also shows his work as a member of the local public school board, which he served as president.

Other URL: http://library.wheaton.edu

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical and Education],
[Series 2: Writings],
[Series 3: Research / Railroads],
[Series 4: Correspondence],
[Series 5: Recommendations],
[Series 6: Administrative records],
[Series 7: Teaching Materials],
[Series 8: Washington Seminar],
[Series 9: Faculty Committees],
[Series 10: Workshops and Conferences],
[Series 11: Radio Broadcasts],
[Series 12: City of Wheaton],
[Series 13: Illinois],
[Series 14: Pamphlets],
[Series 15: Index Cards],
[All]

Series 15: Index Cards

Sub-Series 1: Materials Specifically Related to Courses

Box 11

Item 1: Social Science: 91: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 2: Social Science: 94,340,440 Pro-Seminar: Annotated Bibliographic References, Notes, and Bibliographic References
Item 3: 95: Notes
Item 4: 335x Term Project by Willard N. Docken: Notes
Item 5: American Constitutional Development - Student Research Projects: Annotated Bibliographic References and Notes
Item 6: Honors 400 Bibliography: Annotated Bibliographic References

Sub-Series 2: Materials Possibly Related to Courses Kamm Took

Box 11

Item 7: 6, G, Readings: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 8: 6, Europe Since 1815, Economic & Social Studies: Notes
Item 9: llG, Constitutional History of the U.S.: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 10: 12, American History: Notes
Item 11: 37, Seminar on U.S. Reconstruction: Notes
Item 12: 83, Constitutional History of the U.S.: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 13: 138, Ante-Bellum South: Notes
Item 14: 195: Notes
Item 15: 62, America National & State Government: Notes
Item 16: 176: Annotated Bibliographic References

Sub-Series 3: American Affairs

Box 11

Item 17: History - General: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 18: History - General: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References

Box 12

Item 1: History - General: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 2: Diplomatic: Notes
Item 3: Culture: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 4: Culture: Notes
Item 5: Culture: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 6: Constitution: Notes
Item 7: Democracy: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 8: Government: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 9: Liberty: Notes
Item 10: Political Power: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 11: California Provisional Government: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 12: Pennsylvania Constitution 1838: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 13: Foreign Affairs: Notes
Item 14: Foreign Affairs: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 15: Explorers (done by someone else): Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 16: Railroads: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 17: Black History: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 18: Illinois: Bibliographic References
Item 19: New Deal: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 20: Wisconsin: Bibliographic References
Item 21: Biographies, Memoirs, Etc.: Bibliographic References
Item 22: Newspapers (with subject themes): Bibliographic References
Item 23: Historiography: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 24: Goals of Education in American Culture: Notes
Item 25: Teaching American History: Annotated Bibliographic References

Sub-Series 4: European History

Box 12

Item 26: History of Civilization: Annotated Bibliographic References and Notes
Item 27: Ancient World: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 28: Medieval: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 29: European: Annotated Bibliographic References and Notes
Item 30: Relations between England and the Continent, 1300-1500: Notes
Item 31: Renaissance and Reformation: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 32: Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries - General: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 33: Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries - By Country: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 34: Contemporary Times: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 35: Economic Developments: Annotated Bibliographic References

Sub-Series 5: Society Affairs and Communism

Box 12

Item 36: Societ Affairs and Communism: Bibliographic References

Box 13

Item 1: Communism: Annotated Bibliographic References, Notes, and Bibliographic References
Item 2: Christianity and Communism: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 3: Christianity and Socialism: Bibliographic References

Box 14: Communist Values

Box 15: Communist Values

Sub-Series 6: Asian and Latin American Affairs

Box 13

Item 4: Asian and Latin American Affairs: Bibliographic References
Item 5: East Asia and Foreign Affairs: Bibliographic References
Item 6: Middle East: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 7: Vietnam: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 8: Latin American: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 9: Mexican Relations: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 10: Mexican Oil: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 11: Mexican Land Problems: Notes

Sub-Series 7: Topical

Box 13

Item 12: Philosophy: Bibliographic References
Item 13: Nationalism and Liberalism: Notes
Item 14: Political Theory - Comparative Revolutions: Bibliographic References
Item 15: Survey of Governments: Bibliographic References
Item 16: Politics and Government: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 17: Sociology and Economics: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 18: 1823 History: Notes
Item 19: Economics: Bibliographic References
Item 20: Sociology: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 21: Arts and Architecture: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 22: Sciences and Invention: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 23: Science and the Social Studies: Annotated Bibliographic References, Notes, and Bibliographic References
Item 24: Zionism: Bibliographic References
Item 25: Humanism: Notes
Item 26: Romanticism: Notes
Item 27: The Family: Bibliographic References
Item 28: Teaching - Education: Notes
Item 29: Philosophy of Religion: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 30: History of Ideas: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 31: Historiography: Bibliographic References
Item 32: Critical Historical Scholarship: Notes
Item 33: Civilization and Culture General Critiques: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 34: Christianity and the Social Sciences: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 35: Bibliography: Bibliographic References
Item 36: General Bibliographies: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 37: From American Political Science Review: Bibliographic References
Item 38: Library of Congress Book Requests (on Secularism, Religion and Communism): Bibliographic References
Item 39: General Western Histories: Notes and Bibliographic References
Item 40: General and International: Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 41: General and Historical: Bibliographic References
Item 42: Historical Fiction: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 43: Books for Review 1931-33 (Various Subjects): Bibliographic References
Item 44: Book List from Newberry Library: Bibliographic References
Item 45: University of Chicago Theological Library: Bibliographic References
Item 46: Assorted "New Books": Annotated Bibliographic References and Bibliographic References
Item 47: Reading List: Annotated Bibliographic References and Notes
Item 48: Reviewed Books: Notes
Item 49: Biographical: Annotated Bibliographic References
Item 50: Departmental Position on Issues: Notes

Sub-Series 8: Personal Materials

Box 13

Item 51: Booklets on Suffering and Healing
Item 52: Notes on Bible Passages
Item 53: Notes on Education; Religion
Item 54: Handling Crises
Item 55: Miscellaneous
Item 56: Notes on alumni regarding their role with the College

Box 16: Research notes