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Collection Overview

Title:
James Ward Smith Correspondence
Repository:
Princeton University Archives
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dc8049gg59g
Dates:
1934-1946
Size:
4 boxes
Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Boxes S-000122 to S-000125
Language:
English

Abstract

James Ward Smith enrolled at Princeton University in 1934, first graduating with the Class of 1938 before proceeding with graduate studies in Princeton's Department of Philosophy. Following his military service during WWII, Smith returned to Princeton to begin a long career as Professor of Philosophy. The collection is comprised of letters written by Smith to his parents from September, 1934, when Smith entered Princeton, to his discharge from the Navy in 1946.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

The collection is comprised of letters written by James Ward Smith, Class of 1938, to his parents from September, 1934, when Smith entered Princeton, to his discharge from the Navy in 1946. The letters cover his time as a Princeton undergraduate and graduate student in the Philosophy Department, as well as his Naval career. Smith's writing reflects much on his academics, campus life amidst the backdrop of the Great Depression, and Naval service, often blurring the boundaries between these categories.

Collection Creator Biography:

Smith

James Ward Smith enrolled at Princeton University in 1934, first graduating with the Class of 1938 before proceeding with graduate studies in Princeton's Department of Philosophy. Following his military service during WWII, Smith returned to Princeton to begin a long career as Professor of Philosophy. He passed away in 1999.

Smith was called to active duty in the US Navy in 1942 and would remain in service until his discharge in 1946. One of his prime roles consisted of being a "beachmaster" in the Pacific theater, in which he helped to direct numerous amphibious landings. This notably included the landing at the island of Luzon, during which he personally advised Gen. MacArthur to refrain from coming ashore. The famous photograph of Gen. MacArthur's return to the Philippines would be taken only 36 hours after this encounter.

Collection History

Acquisition:

The collection was donated by Maurice Lee, Jr. '46 in 2014 (AR.2014.032).

Appraisal

No materials were removed from the collection during processing.

Processing Information

This finding aid was written by Quin DeLaRosa in 2022. Prior processing was conducted for this collection by a student worker.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.

For instances beyond Fair Use where the copyright is not held by the University, while permission from the Library is not required, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

James Ward Smith Correspondence; Princeton University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dc8049gg59g
Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
(609) 258-6345
Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (scamudd): Boxes S-000122 to S-000125