NCC: Clarence Roberts papers

This collection contains Clarence Roberts’ personal and professional papers dating from 1913 to 1999. These papers document Dr. Roberts’ involvement in North Central and Naperville events (including the College’s centennial and Naperville’s sesquicentennial), employment as professor of History and College Archivist, history courses taught at North Central, education from high school to his Ph.D. certification, his research notes and publications, and personal and professional correspondence.

Dr. Roberts’ course files include lectures, notes, bibliographies, syllabi and exams. Folders containing visual aids, such as news clippings, overheads, and pamphlets, are found under many of the course titles. Specific Course topics include: The American Mind, US History, Illinois History, Economic History, and the History of Conservation.

Dr. Roberts’ publications of North Central College include North Central College: A Century of Liberal Education in 1961, Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future in 1976, A Clear and Steady Light in 1981, and a Historical Sketch in the Summer 1961 Alumni News. Also included is research for a planned history for the College’s 125th Anniversary, which is much broader than the Historical Sketch ultimately printed in the March 1986 NOW. This series includes copies of and notes about History of the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in 1946, Missouri Farm Boy in 1988 (an autobiography), and various articles related to his Ph.D. dissertation at the University of Missouri and Pro Term research while at North Central College. Additional research topics which did not result in publication include the bells of Naperville, secret societies, and Naperville history. Although this series contains a correspondence sub-group, correspondence related to a specific publication or research project is filed with the subject.

The correspondence includes many personal letters from family, friends, and former students, as well as to and from professional associates. Also included in the correspondence are letters making arrangements with chapel speakers that Dr. Roberts’ arranged. Separated from other correspondence, one file contains correspondence to, from, and about Elmer Ellis. Ellis was a history professor at the University of Missouri while Roberts was an undergraduate, and became a lifelong mentor and friend of Roberts, which the correspondence reflects.

Items of note found in the personal files include Dr. and Mrs. Roberts’ World War II ration books.