Elmer Louis Kayser papers
Collection Scope and Content
Materials in this collection include correspondence, course lectures, notes, notes on fraternities, speeches, student papers, publications, Mt. Vernon Seminary materials, WTOP Radio "Today in History" broadcasts, professional association memberships, photographs, a video cassette, and two framed pieces of realia. The materials range in date from 1824-1985. These items all relate to the personal and professional life of Elmer Kayser.
Dates
- 1824-2002
Creator
- Kayser, Elmer Louis (Person)
Restrictions on Access
Some records may be restricted.
Restrictions on Use
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Biographical Note
Elmer Louis Kayser (1896-1985) came to The George Washington University as a student in 1914 and stayed until his death 1985. He was an institution unto himself, and author of two books chronicling the history of GW: Bricks Without Straw: The Evolution of George Washington University (1970) and A Medical Center The Institutional Development of Medical Education in George Washington University (1973). He also wrote The Grand Social Enterprise; A Study of Jeremy Bentham in his Relation to Liberal Nationalism (1932) and A Manual of Ancient History (1937). Kayser was professor of European history from 1917-67 when he assumed the role of professor emeritus. He was also the University Historian from 1962-85.
Elmer Kayser was born in August 27, 1896 in Georgetown, D.C., attended Western High School (now the Duke Ellington School of the Arts), and received a B.A. (1917) and M.A. (1918), and a Ph.D. from Columbia University (1932). During his incredible seventy-one year tenure with the University, he held various administrative offices, among them Secretary of the University, 1918-27, Dean of University Students, 1930-62, and President of the General Alumni Association of GW, 1950-53. He was given a Distinguished Alumni Achievement award in 1941 and awarded and honorary Doctor of Laws in 1948. His activities outside of academia included radio commentator on foreign affairs during World War II, historian of the National Capital Sesquicentennial Commission, and member of the governing boards of Mount Vernon College, the National Cathedral School, the nurses' school committee of Emergency Hospital and Central Dispensary and St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Elmer Kayser served for more than twenty-five years as vice-chairman of the board of the Mount Vernon Seminary (now the Mount Vernon Campus of GW), and received an honorary degree from that institution in 1975. The Elmer Louis Kayser endowed Professorship in History was established in 1983, with more than 1,000 alumni, faculty, staff and friends contributing gifts in excess of $500,000 needed to establish it. Kayser was also a recipient of the George Washington Award at GW in 1977, given "in special recognition to those people who have made The George Washington University a better place to be."
Elmer Kayser died April 28, 1985 in Washington, D.C.
Extent
21.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Elmer Louis Kayser (1896-1985) came to The George Washington University as a student in 1914 and stayed until his death 1985. He was an institution unto himself, and author of two books chronicling the history of GW: Bricks Without Straw: The Evolution of George Washington University (1970) and A Medical Center The Institutional Development of Medical Education in George Washington University (1973). He also wrote The Grand Social Enterprise; A Study of Jeremy Bentham in his Relation to Liberal Nationalism (1932) and A Manual of Ancient History (1937). Kayser was professor of European history from 1917-67 when he assumed the role of professor emeritus. He was also the University Historian from 1962-85. Collection includes correspondence, course lectures, notes, notes on fraternities, speeches, student papers, publications, Mt. Vernon Seminary materials, WTOP Radio "Today in History" broadcasts, professional association memberships, photographs, a video cassette, and two framed pieces of realia. The materials range in date from 1824-1985. These items all relate to the personal and professional life of Elmer Kayser.
Collection Organization
Organized into four series: George Washington University related documentation; Professional papers; Personal papers; and Correspondence, writtings, and records.
Acquisition Information
Acquired through donation of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hallett Page IV, 1985.
- American Association of University Professors
- American Historical Association
- Collier, William Miller
- Commencement ceremonies -- Washington (D.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Courses and lectures Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Education Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- George Washington University--Alumni and alumnae
- George Washington University--History
- Greek letter societies Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Kayser, Elmer Louis
- Mount Vernon Seminary
- Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Speeches Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Washington (D.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Elmer Louis Kayser papers, 1824-1985
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- University Archives, Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository
