Truman Elwell Rickard papers

Collection

Identifier: ua-00673

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection includes two scrapbooks, one that contains articles and correspondence regarding "Hail! Minnesota." Of note is a letter from Rickard to Norman Himle of the St. Paul Daily News, dated October 1936, which outlines the development of "Hail! Minnesota" and the "Minnesota Rouser," written by Floyd M. Hutsell. The other scrapbook is devoted to information regarding the University of Minnesota. The rest of the collection consists of photographs, correspondence, biographical information, newspaper clipping and hymn books. One folder contains copies of songs with music composed by Truman Rickard (Box 3, Folders 3-4).

Dates

Creation: 1888-1972

Creator

Rickard, Truman E. (Truman Elwell), 1882-1948 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Use of Materials

Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright

Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives.

Biographical Sketch of Truman Elwell Rickard (1882-1948)

Truman Elwell Rickard was born on January 22, 1882 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota from 1900 to 1904. In his senior year, Professor LeRoy Arnold asked Truman Rickard to write the lyrics and music for a song to be performed at the senior class play. In response to this request, Truman penned the song "Hail! Minnesota." In 1905, the second stanza, which had been a dedication University President Cyrus Northrop, was rewritten by Arthur Upson to make it more appropriate as a college song. "Hail! Minnesota" became a popular song on campus, sung at football games and performed during graduation ceremonies. In 1945, the Minnesota Legislature adopted "Hail! Minnesota," with a few minor changes, as the official state song. Rickard also wrote another song for the University, a fight song titled "Let's Go Minnesota," in 1924. This song was created for a contest held by the University. Truman Rickard died in 1948.