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James Sharbrough Ferguson Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0218

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the collection is comprised of correspondence, much of which is to or from professional acquaintances. Early letters concern his appointment as Dean of Graduate Studies at Women's College while later letters refer to his retirement and the death of his wife. Ferguson's retirement is also documented in Newspaper Articles included in the papers. His career successes are documented by papers related to honors and by Personnel Report Forms filed with UNCG. The collection also contains general biographical information, classroom papers, and lecture notes shared with him by colleagues.

Dates

  • 1916 - 1984
  • Majority of material found within 1962 - 1978

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Extent

0.80 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

James Sharbrough Ferguson came to the Woman's College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro or UNCG) in 1962 as Dean of the Graduate School. He served as acting Chancellor at UNCG during the two leaves of absence of Chancellor Otis A. Singletary (1964-1965 and 1966-1967). On January 9, 1967, he was appointed Chancellor and served continuously until July 31, 1979. Following his retirement as Chancellor, Ferguson was appointed University Distinguished Professor of History at UNCG and served in that capacity until December 1983. He died in Greensboro on September 24, 1984.

The James Sharbrough Ferguson Papers date from 1916-1984, with the bulk dating from 1962-1978, and include biographical information, honors, writings, classroom papers, colleagues lectures, correspondence, and other items. The material is chiefly comprised of personal papers from the time period corresponding to his career at Woman's College and UNCG.

Custodial History

Seven folders containing personal correspondence, speeches, information about the UNCA and WCA visits, and his baptismal certificate were received from Dr. Ferguson's daughters in 1985 from his office in the History Department. One folder relating to History 546 was received from Gene Lemons in February 1996. The remainder is unknown.

Method of Acquisition

Collection created with gifts from Dr. Ferguson's daughters in 1985, Gene Lemmons in February, 1996, and materials of unknown origin.

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.

Processing Information

Processed by Katherine Carr Steiner under the supervision of Jennifer Motszko, December, 2008.

Title
James Sharbrough Ferguson Papers
Author
Katherine Carr Steiner under the supervision of Jennifer Motszko
Date
2016 December
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
P.O. Box 26170
320 College Ave.
Greensboro NC 27402-6170 US
336-334-5246