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Keeper of Princetoniana Records
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Held at: Princeton University Library: University Archives [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: University Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
A graduate from Princeton in 1939, Frederic Ewing Fox went on to serve in the Army in World War II under General Dwight D. Eisenhower. His articles in the New York Timeson American community life brought him to the attention of then President Eisenhower. He served as an assistant in the White House till 1961. In 1964 he became the Recording Secretary at Princeton University.
Described by University President William G. Bowen as a "cross between a curator, a ringmaster, and a storyteller," Frederic Fox was the only person ever to occupy the office of Keeper of Princetoniana at Princeton University. The unique position involved corresponding with students, faculty, and alumni; collecting memorabilia; meeting with potential donors and receiving gifts; and representing the University tradition publicly, among a bevy of other informal duties. A member of the Class of 1939, Fox served as recording secretary of the University for 17 years and became a well-known figure on campus. In 1976 he was made Keeper of Princetoniana, and he held the position until his death in 1981. Concern for the preservation of Princeton's traditions and memorabilia is carried on by the Princetoniana Committee, a group comprised of alumni and other individuals dedicated to the same mission.
The collection consists of Fox's correspondence with alumni, faculty, and administrators during his tenure as Keeper of Princetoniana. Also included are a position description and assessment in which Fox outlines his duties, newspaper clippings, photographs, yearly budget files, and a cassette tape recording of Fox's memorial service.
A container list for this collection was created by Christie Peterson with assistance from Eleanor Wright '14 in November 2011. Finding aid updated by Christie Peterson in November 2011.
People
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- University Archives
- Finding Aid Author
- Christie Peterson
- Finding Aid Date
- 2007
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
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Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. For quotations that are fair use as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission to cite or publish is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. If copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers will not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with non-commercial use of materials from the Mudd Library. For materials where the copyright is not held by the University, researchers are responsible for determining who may hold the copyright and obtaining approval from them. If you have a question about who owns the copyright for an item, you may request clarification by contacting us through the Ask Us! form.
Collection Inventory
The files in Series 1: Keeper of Princetoniana Records, 1956-1981 remain in the original order in which they were received in the archives.
Series 1: Keeper of Princetoniana Records, 1956-1981 consists of Fox's correspondence with alumni, faculty, and administrators during his tenure as Keeper of Princetoniana. Also included are a position description and assessment in which Fox outlines his duties, newspaper clippings, photographs, yearly budget files, and a cassette tape recording of Fox's memorial service.
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