Guide to Carey Croneis Personal Papers, 1929-1971


Descriptive Summary
	Creator:	Croneis, Carey, 1901-
	Title:	Carey Croneis personal papers,
	Dates:	1929-1971
	Abstract:	The Carey Croneis Personal Papers chronicle Dr. Croneis' professional career as a geologist, educator, and administrator in various academic settings including Rice University, in museums, and in civic and personal interests. The collection totals 18 Hollinger boxes and includes correspondence, speeches, photos, plans, clippings, and printed matter.
	Identification:	MS 402
	Extent:	8.75 linear feet
	Language:	Materials are in English.
	Repository:	Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX

Biographical Note

Carey Gardiner Croneis was born on March 14, 1901 in Bucyrus, Ohio, the son of Frederick William and Nell Garner Croneis. He received a B.S. degree from Denison University, Granville, Ohio in 1922, an M.S. degree from the University of Kansas in 1923, and a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1928. He was an instructor in geology at the University of Kansas (1922-1923), the University of Arkansas (1923-1925), and Harvard, Radcliffe, and Wellesley (1925-1928), and worked on geological surveys in Arkansas, Kansas, and Illinois.

In 1928 Croneis went to the University of Chicago, where he was assistant professor of geology, then associate professor (1931-41) and professor (1941-44). He organized the geology section of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and was curator of paleontology at the Walker Museum, University of Chicago (1928-44). At the Century of Progress World's Fair he was in charge of the geology section (1933) and chief of basic sciences (1934). He also produced films on geology for the University of Chicago and the National Park Service.

During World War II Croneis was a consultant for the National Defense Research Committee and in this capacity helped plan coastal defenses for the Brownsville, Texas area. He also helped select the proving grounds for the United States Chemical Warfare Service in the Republic of Panama. In 1944 he was named president of Beloit College in Wisconsin.

In 1953 Croneis designed the geology department at Rice University, and in January 1954 became provost there and the first Harry C. Wiess professor of geology. He was named acting president of Rice in 1960, and in 1961 became the university's first chancellor. He maintained a teaching load along with administrative responsibilities and was also involved in Houston civic affairs. He was chairman of the Houston City Charter Committee and is credited with influencing the decision to establish the Manned Spacecraft Center (now the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center) near Houston. Croneis was founding president of the Houston Council on World Affairs, a charter member of the Texas Academy of Sciences, and a member of the Centennial Committee of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. He was editor of Harper and Row's Geosciences Series (from 1941), associate editor of the Journal of Geology (1920-45), and author of Geology of the Arkansas Paleozoic Area (1930) and numerous scientific articles. He coauthored Down to Earth with W. C. Krumbein (1936).

Croneis, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, was awarded nine honorary doctorates during his career; in 1967 he received the highest honor in professional geology, the Sidney Powers Memorial Medal, from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and the same year was presented a gold medal by the Association of Rice Alumni for distinguished service to the university. He was elected a fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, and in 1970 the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies established in his honor five two-year scholarships for graduate study in earth sciences. Croneis was president of the Philosophical Society of Texas in 1971.

Croneis retired as chancellor emeritus of Rice University on Aug. 31, 1971; he died in Houston on Jan. 22, 1972, and was cremated. He was married to Grace Williams and had two daughters.

Excerpted from The New Handbook of Texas, 1996.

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Scope and Contents

The Carey Croneis Personal Papers chronicle his professional career in various academic settings, museums, and civic interests, and his personal involvement through speeches and correspondence. The collection totals 18 Hollinger boxes and houses photos, plans, clippings, and printed matter. The series include Correspondence; Organizational/ Professional Involvement; Manuscript; Speeches, Introductions, Commentary; and Personal.

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Arrangement
	The Carey Croneis Personal Papers are arranged in five series:

		Series I: Correspondence, 1929-1960
		Series II: Organizational/Professional Involvement, 1930-1971
		Series III: Manuscript: Down to Earth
		Series IV: Speeches, Introductions, Commentary
		Series V: Personal

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

No access restrictions; this material is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials from the Carey Croneis Personal Papers must be obtained from Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

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Index Terms

	Subjects (Organizations)
		Rice University. Faculty.
		Rice University. Dept. of Geology.
		Rice University. Office of the Provost.
	Subjects (Persons)
		Croneis, Carey, 1901- - Published works.
		Croneis, Carey, 1901 - - Down to Earth
	Formats
		Correspondence.
		Reports.
		Photographs.
		Diaries.
		Speeches.
		Manuscripts.

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Related Material


	See also university archives record group, Provost/Acting President/Chancellor, 1954-1970 (Carey Croneis); and also the information file for Carey Croneis.

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Detailed Description of the Collection



Box	Folder
1	1-17	Series I: Correspondence
	1		Jones, Daniel J.; 1937-43
	2		Krumbein, W. C.; 1941-51
	3		Leighton, M. M.; 1929-43
	4		Loeblich, Alfred R.; 1938-52
	5		MacKnight, Franklin C.; 1938-42
	6		Mather, Kirtley
	7		Romer, Alfred S.; 1936-44
	8		Shrock, Robert R.; 1930-41
	9		Sloss, Laurence L.; 1934-44
	10		Speed, Carleton Jr.; 1937, 1950s
	11		Trumbo, Donald; 1930s
	12		Wasson, Theron; 1935-41
	13		Weller, J. Marvin; 1939-51
	14		1953
	15		1954-57
	16		1957-60
	17		Recommendations, 1954-55

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Box
2-11		Series II: Organizational/Professional Involvement
Box	Folder
2	1		AAPG Convention, New Orleans, LA 1965
	2		AAPG Convention, St. Louis, MO 1966
	3		AAPG Convention, Los Angeles, CA 1967
	4		AAPG Convention, Oklahoma City, OK 1968
	5		AAPG Convention, Dallas TX 1969
	6		AAPG Convention, Calgary, Alberta 1970
	7		AAPG Convention, Houston, TX 1971
	8		AAPG Sidney Powers Medal, 1942-44
	9		AAPG Sidney Powers Award, 1967
	10		AAPG, 1955, 1959, 1962, 1966-72
	13		AAPG-GSA Joint Cooperative Committee, 1967-70
Box	Folder
3	1		American Geological Institute, 1963, 1968-69
	2		American Geophysical Union, 1963-64, 67-68, 70
	3		Beloit College: Correspondence, 1940s-53
	4		Beloit College: correspondence, 1954-57
	5		Beloit College: Academic information
	6		Beloit College: Presidency acceptance and resignation 19441953
	7		Beloit College: Resolutions, 1953-54
	8		Beloit College: Clippings
	9		Beloit College: Photographs
	10		Beloit College: Representative for
	11		Beloit College: Athletics, 1950-53
Box	Folder
4	1		Century of Progress World's Fair: Geological time clock, 19331932-33
	2		Century of Progress World's Fair: Exhibition plan, 19331931
	3		Century of Progress World's Fair: Exhibits correspondence and planning progress 1933
	4		Century of Progress World's Fair: Correspondence, 19331933-35
	5		Century of Progress World's Fair: Noah's Ark research 1933
	6		Century of Progress World's Fair: Exhibit hall floor plans 1933
	7		Century of Progress World's Fair: Diorama sketches/plans 1933
	8		Century of Progress World's Fair: Exhibit text 1933
	9		Century of Progress World's Fair: Published articles 1933
	10		Century of Progress World's Fair: Newsclips 1933
Box	Folder
5	1		Century of Progress World's Fair: Maps and diagrams used for exhibit preparation 1933
	2		Century of Progress World's Fair: Photos used for exhibit preparation 1933
	3		Century of Progress World's Fair: Photo of exhibit opening 1933
	4		Century of Progress World's Fair: Photo of exhibits staff 1933
	5		Century of Progress World's Fair: Exhibits photos 1922
	6		Century of Progress World's Fair: Exhibits photos 1933
	7		Century of Progress World's Fair: Science exhibits guidebooks 1933
	8		Century of Progress World's Fair: Official guidebooks 1933
Box	Folder
6	1		Geological Society of America, 1931-47
	2		Geological Society of America, 1954-56
	3		Geological Society of America convention, Houston, TX 1962
	4		Geological Society of America convention, Houston, TX Committee reports 1962
	5		Houston City Charter Study Committee drafting of report, 1967
	6		Houston City Charter Study Committee summary/synopsis of recommendations, 1966-67
Box	Folder
7	1		Houston City Charter Study Committee newsclips
	2		Houston City Charter Study Committee notes, minutes, 1965-67
	3		Houston City Charter Study Committee minutes, 1966
	4		Houston City Charter Study Committee minutes, 1971
	5		Houston City Charter Study Committee League of Women Voters of Houston presentation, Dec. 1966
	6		Houston City Charter Study Committee reactivation, 1971
	7		Houston City Charter Study Committee correspondence, 1965
	8		Houston City Charter Study Committee correspondence, 1966
	9		Houston City Charter Study Committee correspondence, 1967
	10		Houston City Charter Study Committee correspondence, 1971
	11		Houston City Charter Study Committee, Corporate Policies and Powers Subcommittee, 1966
	12		Houston City Charter Study Committee; Elections and Personnel Subcommittee, 1966
Box	Folder
8	1		Houston City Charter Study Committee; Elections and Personnel Subcommittee, 1971
	2		Houston City Charter Study Committee; Report Drafting Subcommittee, 1971
	3		Houston City Charter Study Committee; Rules and Procedures Subcommittee, 1966
	4		Houston City Charter Study Committee; Rules and Procedures Subcommittee, 1971
	5		Houston City Charter Study Committee; Taxation and Financial Affairs Subcommittee, 1966
	6		Houston City Charter Study Committee; Taxation and Financial Affairs Subcommittee, 1971
	7		Houston City Charter Study Committee, final report, July 5, 1967
	8		Houston City Charter Study Committee final report, 1971
	9		Houston Council on World Affairs correspondence, 1963-64
	10		Houston Council on World Affairs NBC panel dinner, 1-7-63
	11		Houston Museum of Natural Science exhibits materials, 1962
	12		Houston Museum of Natural Science trustees materials and correspondence, 1962-72
	13		Houston Museum of Natural Science Wiess Hall of Petroleum Exhibits committee, 1971
	14		International Geological Congress, 1968-69
	15		Kemp Gold Medal Award Columbia University 1969,
Box	Folder
9	1		Manpower Panel correspondence, 1962
	2		Manpower Panel correspondence, 1963
	3		Manpower Panel correspondence, 1964
	4		Manpower Panel correspondence, 1965
	5		Manpower Panel report, 1962, 1965
	6		Missouri Camp correspondence, 1930-35
	7		Missouri Camp correspondence, 1936-39
	8		Missouri Camp correspondence, 1940-41
	9		Missouri Camp correspondence, 1942-44
	10		Missouri Camp photos
Box	Folder
10	1		Museum of Science and Industry plans, correspondence, 1930-44
	2		National Science Foundation correspondence, 1963-65, 68-69, 71
	3		National Space Hall of Fame awards, correspondence, planning, 1965-68-69
	4		Panama research trip photos
	5		Phi Delta Theta and Founder's Day address, 1963, 68-69
	6		University of Chicago correspondence, 1930s, 40s
	7		University of Chicago departmental materials, publications
	8		University of Chicago Houston group correspondence, 1941
	9		University of Chicago lectures, 1943
Box	Folder
11	1		Walker Museum articles, plans
	2		Walker Museum budget, correspondence, 1939-43
	3		Walker Museum correspondence, plans, budget, 1930-38

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Box	Folder
11	4-11	Series III: Manuscript: Down to Earth
	4		Publicity, reviews
	5		Excerpts, additions, introduction
	6		Publisher's edited and marked chapters 26-28, 31-32
	7		Correspondence, 1944-51
	8		Correspondence, 1955-61
	9		Correspondence, University of Chicago Press, 1962-68
	10		Textbook correspondence, 1934-41
	11		Revisions, 1948-52

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Box
12-16		Series IV: Speeches, Introductions, Commentary
Box	Folder
12	1		American Alumni Council, "The Alumni - Balm or Bane?" 7-14-48;
	2		American City Bureau, "The Sound and Justifying Worth of the Liberal Arts College" 8-1-45,
	3		American Geological Assoc., preliminary statement - organizational meeting 4-10-43;
	4		American Geological Assoc., "Geological `Union Now'" 4-10-43;
	5		American Institute of Architects, panel moderator 3-30-66;
	6		American Society for Oceanography, introduction of Scott Carpenter 12-8-65;
	7		American Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists, "Geology, Geologists and Man" 3-24-53;
	8		American Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists, "Science, Legislation and Geology" 4-2-46;
	9		American Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists, "Geological Researchers and Scientific Manpower" 3-25-63;
	10		AAPG Convention (St. Louis), "Geology and the AAPG - Reconsidered" 4-26-66;
	11		AAPG Convention (Oklahoma City), master of ceremonies for awards luncheon 4-23-68;
	12		AAPG Dist. Lecture Tour, "Geological Crossroads" 3-9/4-7-47;
	13		AAPG Sidney Powers Memorial Medal acceptance, 4-11-67
	14		AAPG Sidney Powers Memorial Medalist presentation, 1950
	15		ARCS Foundation, "Scientific Successes and Social Sequels" 4-6-68;
	16		Association of Colleges and Schools of Architecture, welcome to Southwest Regional meeting 10-2-70;
	17		Autry House, "The University and Its Work" 12-12-62;
	18		Beloit [WI] Association of Commerce, 2-5-48, 2-4-47
	19		Beloit College Faculty meetings, 1944, 1948
	20		Beloit College convocations
	21		Beloit College homecoming chapels
	22		Beloit College misc.
	23		Beloit College Oceanography symposium, 5-17/5-18-68
	24		Beloit [WI] Rotary Club, "This Atomic Age" 9-45;
	25		Ben Taub Hospital, Ladies in Yellow 3-7-66;
	26		Boy Scouts Houston, 3-8-57, 1-22-59
	27		Brazilian National War College visit to Rice, 8-27-70
	28		Carroll College [WI], 5-21-46, 5-17-47
	29		Chicago Literary Club, "Galapagan Galavant" 3-22-48;
Box	Folder
13	1		Chicago Teachers Union Conf., "Proudly Teach" 4-2-60;
	2		Clay Minerals Conf., "Mankind in Geological Perspective" 10-28-54;
	3		College of Life Underwriters, "Insurance and Education in a World of Friction" 9-11-63;
	4		Colorado College, "Mankind vs. Science and Technology" 10-17-63;
	5		Colorado School of Mines, "Men of Mettle" 9-29-49;
	6		Columbia University [NY], Kemp Medal Award 11-7-69;
	7		Commencements
	8		Congregation Beth Israel [Houston], "A View of Southeast Asia" 3-31-68;
	9		Corpus Christi [TX] Chamber of Commerce, "Higher Education - Key to the Future" 1-17-67;
	10		Croneis' 70th birthday celebration, 3-31-71
	11		Dallas [TX] Baptist College, "Administrative Freedom" 11-25-67;
	12		Denison [OH] University, 1937, 1945, 1946
	13		Educational TV and Radio Center/NBC/IGY, "The Face of the Land" 11-18-57;
	14		English Speaking Union, national council keynote address 10-17-61;
	15		First Congregational Church [Beloit, WI], "Assume the Fallen Weight" 5-30-45;
	16		First Presbyterian Church [Freeport, IL], "Drawn Swords" 11-16-47;
	17		Garden Club of America, "Beauty and the Beast" 3-24-66;
	18		Geology papers
	19		Great Southern Life Insurance, Houston, "Great Southern Growth and Insurance History" 3-25-65;
	20		GSA annual dinner, New Orleans [LA], 11-8-55
	21		GSA annual meeting, El Paso [TX], 11-11-49
	22		GSA convention, Cincinnati [OH]; "Geographic Environment and Geological Leadership"
	23		GSA annual meeting, Pittsburgh [PA], 1946
	24		GSA 75th annual banquet, Houston [TX], 11-13-62
Box	Folder
14	1		Gulf Coast Assoc. of Geological Societies, "Problems of Geological Education and of Educating Geologists" 11-5-54;
	2		[Norman] Hackerman Dinner, 5-13-71
	3		Headmasters of Private Schools of the South and Southwest, "Role of the Private School in the Great Society" 3-19-65;
	4		Hinsdale Women's Club, "Education in the Post-War World" 3-6-45;
	5		Honor Societies
	6		Houston [TX] City Employees awards, 12-14-60
	7		Houston [TX] Committee on Foreign Relations, "Some Aspects of Asian Conflicts" 9-21-65;
	8		Houston [TX] Council on World Affairs, "Some Problems of Southern Asia" 3-11-65;
	9		Houston [TX] Rotary Club; 5-20-65, 12-16-54
	10		Houston [TX] Variety Club, tribute to Mrs. W. W. Fondren 2-11-65;
	11		Humanities and Industry Conf., Baton Rouge [LA], "The Liberal Humanities, Sciences and Industries" 4-8-54;
	12		Illinois Bankers Assoc.- Chicago District, "Let's Be Reactionary" 10-17-46;
	13		ICUT luncheon, "Public Enrichment through Private Endowment" 12-7-70;
	14		Institute for Career Science Executives, Bethesda [MD], "National Manpower Requirements in Science and Technology" 10-24-62;
	15		International Educational Exchange Conf., Houston [TX], "Latin American Backgrounds" 10-19-62;
	16		Kinkaid School [Houston, TX] 50th anniversary, "Private Schools, Public Assets" 1-17-57;
	17		Kiwanis clubs, 1960, 1966
	18		Lawrence College [WI] centennial, 6-6-47
	19		Lions Club Convention, Houston [TX], "Friendship Around the World" 5-16-65;
	20		[W.W.] Lynch luncheon, "Mankind vs. Science and Technology" 10-23-63;
	21		Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, Houston [TX], 2-8-67
	22		Milwaukee-Downer College, "Foundations" 11-27-45;
	23		National Acoustical Society convention, Houston [TX], "Catch the World" 3-21-66;
	24		National Association of Geology Teachers, 11-2-60, 11-20-64
	25		Pan American Round Table Texas convention, Houston [TX], "The Other Americas" 4-3-63;
	26		Phi Delta Theta Houston Alumni Club, "The Fraternity in a Changing World" 3-12-65;
	27		Philosophical Society of Texas, 12-11-65, 12-12-70
	28		Prehistoric Man in the New World symposium, "Geoanthropology" 11-9-62;
	29		Private Schools Assoc. of Central States, "The Private Schools - Extinction, Survival or Growth" 4-5-52;
	30		"R" Association, Rice Institute/Univ., 1960, 1963
	31		[American] Red Cross Houston chapter, "The Red Cross and Scientific Change" 4-13-64;
	32		Rice Alumni
	33		Rice Alumni
	34		Rice Associates, 1960, 1961
	35		Rice Institute Dept. of Geology, progress report 10-21-54;
Box	Folder
15	1		Rice University, 1950s, 1960s
	2		Ripon College, "Reconstruction or Destruction" 12-5-45;
	3		River Oaks Women's Assoc., Houston [TX], 4-2-70
	4		Rockford College Jewett Laboratory, "The Springs of Human Existence" 10-28-50;
	5		Role and Scope Subcommittee, Governor's Committee on Education, preliminary report of consultants. 1963;
	6		Rotary Clubs, 1945, 1950s, 1960s
	7		Sigma Xi, 5-9-70
	8		Southwest Placement Assoc., "The Business of Education and the Education of Business" 9-22-66;
	9		Southwestern Legal Foundation, "Oil, Gas and Education" 3-8-67;
	10		Southwestern University [TX], 11-8-61, 5-6-71
	11		Stanford Univ. [CA], "Mankind in Scientific Perspective" 2-1-60,
	12		Texas A&M University, "Success and Failure" 10-31-64;
	13		Texas Assoc. of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, 11-9-65
	14		Texas Bankers Convention, Houston [TX], "Background for Asiatic Conflicts" 3-9-68;
	15		Texas Bill of Rights Foundation, Houston [TX], introduction of Charles Evans Whittaker 9-16-65;
	16		Texas Chemical Council, "What the Chemical Industry Can Do for Education" 3-17-55;
	17		Texas Christian University, 1965, 1970
	18		Texas Foundations and Trust Funds Conf., Austin [TX], "Money at Work in Geology" 4-6-54;
	19		Texas Industry Conf., Houston [TX], "Scientific Successes and Social Failures:" 10-27-67;
	20		Texas Manufacturers Assoc. Conf., Houston [TX], "The Population and Technological Explosions" 11-22-63;
	21		Texas Society of Architects convention, San Antonio [TX], "Fruition of Success and the Greater Struggle" 10-9-63;
	22		Texas Technological College, 1960, 1966, 1967
	23		[Albert] Thomas Appreciation Dinner, 11-21-68
	24		Trans World Airlines, Inc., Houston [TX], 2-21-68
	25		Trinity University [TX], "Graduate Education and Other Explosions" 5-29-64;
	26		United Educators Boca Raton [FL] Club, "Aaron John Brumbaugh - A Tribute" 2-26-66;
	27		University-Federal Agency Conf., Nacogdoches [TX], "Education - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" 8-30-63;
	28		University of Chattanooga [TX], inauguration of William Masterson as President 11-4-66;
	29		University of Chicago
	30		University of Dallas, "Inner Serenity and Divine Discontent" 5-21-67;
	31		University of Houston, 1959, 1963
Box	Folder
16	1		University of North Dakota, "The Future of Geology in Education" 10-8-65;
	2		University of Tampa, 1958, 1964
	3		University of Texas, dedication of Geology building 11-16-67;
	4		Urban Land Institute, "Space Age Research and Industry" 1-28-65;
	5		VE Day, "Victory - True or False" 5-8-45;
	6		Vocational Rehabilitation and Education of Veterans Conf., "What the Liberal Arts College Offers the Veteran: Pre-Professional Training" 1-20-45;
	7		Washington University, "The Sciences and the Humanities in the Future" 5-3-46;
	8		Honorable James E. Webb, 1963, 1967
	9		Winnetka [IL] Congregational Church, "Fearful and Wonderful" 4-16-50;
	10		Wisconsin Society of CPAs, "Private Education and Public Money" 12-8-47;
	11		WNBQ Educational Television, "Time and Life" 11-2-52;
	12		YWCA annual dinner, "The Times Demand" 1-23-45;
	13		Miscellaneous speeches

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Box	Folder
16	14-17	Series V: Personal
	14		Newsclips
	15		Passports
	16		Diaries - travel
	17		Day/year calendars

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