Fonds 1063 - Robert H. Blackburn fonds

Identity area

Reference code

UTA 1063

Title

Robert H. Blackburn fonds

Date(s)

  • 1942-1989, 2004-2014 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

0.78 m of textual records (6 boxes)
0.07 m of graphic records (19 photographs)

Context area

Name of creator

(1919-)

Biographical history

Robert Harold Blackburn was born in Vegreville, Alberta on February 3, 1919. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1941 with an M.A. and then enrolled at the Library School at the University of Toronto in 1941. He graduated with a Bachelor of Library Science degree in 1942. After service in the Royal Canadian Airforce, he worked for a year a the Calgary Public Library. He returned to the University of Toronto as Associate Librarian in 1947. In 1948 he received a M.S. degree from Columbia University. He was appointed University Librarian in 1954, succeeding W. Stewart Wallace. He retired as Librarian Emeritus in 1982.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Fonds consists of 3 accessions

B1987-0074: 19 photos of false ceiling at Robarts Library, 1983. (1 folder, 1983)

B1989-0036: Personal records of Robert H. Blackburn, University Librarian, consisting of personal correspondence (1955-1981); RCAF flying log books (1942-1945); correspondence files arranged by author, A-W (1981-1986); files relating to his Carnegie tour (1950-1952), his being an editorial advisor to Collier's (1953-1988), and chair of the board of the Streetsville Public Library (1964-1965); addresses, with covering correspondence (1961-1987) and notes, research documents relating to and a typescript of his history of the University of Toronto library system, "Evolution of the Heart". (5 boxes, 1942-1989)

B2014-0008: Contains correspondence and several drafts of Robert H. Blackburn's memoir "From Barley Field to Academe". Much of the correspondence is between Karen Turko, the Director, Donor Relations and Development of the U of T Libraries, Chief Librarian's Office, and numerous proof readers and several publishing companies including the U of T Press. Also includes a copy of Blackburn's speech for the book launch. (1 box, 2004-2014)

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

No finding aids.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Accession

B1987-0074

Accession

B1989-0036

Accession

B2014-0008

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Dates of creation revision deletion

-Original finding aid for B1989-0036 by Sharon Larade and G. Wells
-Original finding aid for B2014-0008 by Tys Klumpenhouwer
-Added to AtoM by Karen Suurtamm, December 2015

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area

Related subjects

Related people and organizations

Related places