A Guide to the David Rodnick Papers, 1936-1980
Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator: | Rodnick, David, 1908- | |
| Title: | Rodnick, David, Papers | |
| Dates: | 1936-1980 | |
| Abstract: | Composed of research notes and reports, a diary, speeches, manuscripts, other literary works, and photographs, the David Rodnick Papers, 1936-1980, document Rodnick’s career as a sociologist and anthropologist. | |
| Accession No.: | 84-99 | |
| Extent: | 3 ft., 2 in. | |
| Language: | Materials are written in English. | |
| Repository: | Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin | |
Biographical Note
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, sociologist and anthropologist David Rodnick (1908-1980) earned a B. S. from New York University in 1930, an M.A. from Yale in 1933, and a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1936. Following World War II, he began cultural analysis of European countries and cultures including posts at the Office of Military Government in occupied Germany, the Paris office of Air University, the University of Oslo, Columbia University, and Princeton University. In the 1950s he became a professor at Inter-American University, San German, Puerto Rico, before moving to Iowa Wesleyan College and then Texas Technological University (1965-1975). Rodnick’s fieldwork also included study of the Assiniboin and Siksika Indians of Montana and historical research of La Bahía Mission in Victoria County, Texas, for the National Park Service. He collaborated with Dr. Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead and authored many books including The Fort Belknap Assiniboine of Montana: A Study in Culture Change (1938), Postwar Germans, An Anthropologist’s Account (1948), The Norwegians; A Study In National Culture (1955), and The Strangled Democracy: Czechoslovakia, 1948-1969 (1970).
Source:
“Rodnick, David.” Vertical Files, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.
Scope and Contents
Composed of research notes and reports, a diary, speeches, manuscripts, other literary works, and photographs, the David Rodnick Papers, 1936-1980, document Rodnick’s career as a sociologist and anthropologist. Published and unpublished manuscripts, other literary works, notes, reports, interviews, and speeches chronicle Rodnick’s field research and ensuing publications on such topics as Native Americans, post-war Europeans, Jewish culture, and Louis Juchereau de St. Denis. A diary chronicles his work and life in Norway, while photographs portray Rodnick and his wife Elizabeth, the couple with Ruth Benedict, and a certificate making him an honorary member of the Assiniboine tribe. Additional material relates to Rodnick’s teaching and fellowships.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research use.
Index Terms | ||
| Subjects (Persons) | ||
| Rodnick, David, 1908- -- Archives | ||
| St. Denis, Louis Juchereau, chevalier de, 1676-1744 | ||
| Subjects | ||
| Assiniboine Indians -- Social life and customs. | ||
| Anthropology -- Research | ||
| Jews -- Civilization | ||
| National characteristics, British. | ||
| National characteristics, Czech. | ||
| National characteristics, French. | ||
| National characteristics, German. | ||
| National characteristics, Norwegian | ||
| Potawatomi Tribe -- Social life and customs | ||
| Siksika Indians -- Social life and customs | ||
| Sociology -- Research | ||
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
David Rodnick Papers, 1936-1980, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
Processing Information
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s "History Revealed: Bringing Collections to Light project," 2009-2011.
Detailed Description of the Papers