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Everett Fraser papers

 Collection
Identifier: 722

Scope and Content

Included in this collection are notes and briefs for two cases in which Dean Fraser represented the University of Minnesota: University v. Chase (establishing the constitutional status of the University), and Fanning v. University (right of the University to issue bonds to finance construction). Another folder contains the Dunn-Fraser controversy papers, which some people saw as an attempt by Dunn to curb academic freedom. Most of the collection consists of personal and professional correspondence, with some copies of speeches, reprints and talks.

Dates

  • Creation: 1913-1948

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Use of Materials

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

Copyright

Requests for permission to quote from the Everett Fraser papers should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives head.

Biographical Sketch of Everett Fraser (1879-1971)

Everett Fraser was born in Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1879. He attended Dalhousie University at Halifax, Nova Scotia, earning his degree in 1907. He then attended Harvard Law School, earning his law degree in 1910. Upon completion of his degree, he was immediately hired as assistant professor of law at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He became dean of the law program four years later. In 1917, Everett Fraser was appointed as professor of law at the University of Minnesota. In 1920, he became dean of the Law School and served in this position until his retirement from the University in 1948.

During his tenure at the University of Minnesota, Dean Fraser represented the University in legal court cases. One case of significance is the University of Minnesota v. Chase (1928-1929). This case went to the Minnesota State Supreme Court, ruling that the University Board of Regents was an autonomous agency and could not be controlled by state executive agencies and the Legislature.

After retiring from the University of Minnesota, Dean Fraser went on to teach at the University of California's Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. He continued to teach until 1965, at the age of 85. Dean Fraser passed away on November 18, 1970 in Lincoln, Massachusetts at the age of 92.

Extent

1 box (1.3 linear feet)

Abstract

Collection contains the personal and professional papers of Everett Fraser, professor and dean of the Law School at the University of Minnesota.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically.

Source of acquisition

The collection was deposited in University Archives by Everett Fraser in 1948. Additional materials were given by Donald Fraser in March 1970.

Related Materials in University of Minnesota Archives

Lotus Delta Coffman papers

William Watts Folwell papers

Guy Stanton Ford papers

Hugo O. Hanft papers

Fred B. Snyder papers

Comptrollers papers

Law School papers

Title
Everett Fraser papers, 1913-1948
Author
Carol O'Brien; updated by Karen Spilman
Date
February 1991; January 2005
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Collecting Area Details

Contact The University Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-624-0562