Benjamin Evans Lippincott papers

General Correspondence (folders 1-4), the American Association of University Professors (folder 5), and the American Federation of Teachers (folders 6-8), comprise the bulk of the collection. Few records relate to the Department of Political Science.

Many of Lippincott's outside activities are reflected in the papers. The correspondence files (1929-1942) contain routine correspondence, as well as correspondence regarding University affairs and pertaining to books and articles written by Lippincott.

Professor Lippincott's political views were often challenged and animosity felt towards him is indicated in the correspondence. Several photostatic copies of threatening letters from the "Christian Vigilante" which were received by him during fall quarter (October-December 1935) are located in folder 9. A letter written by Lippincott on November 29, 1935 (in general correspondence) refers to these threats. Also in a 1940 letter to Emerson P. Schmidt, professor of economics at the University, Lippincott defended his views on socialism.

Information, correspondence, and reports on the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) undated, 1937-1946, detail Lippincott's involvement in this organization. He served on a special University committee on tenure and a report of the committee ©.1938) is in the papers. (Drafts of tenure proposals are also located in the section concerning AFT.) Several other reports are included in this section. They are the "Report of the Committee on the Place and Function of the Facilities in the Government of the University of Minnesota Chapter of AAUP" (1939?); "Final Report of the AAUP Committee on the Problems of Instructors," submitted at the Chapter Meeting on December 7, 1939; "A Study of Salaries in Relation to Resignations from the University of Minnesota Academic Staff, September 1942-September 1946;" and a report of the Fact Finding Committee appointed jointly by the University of Minnesota units of the AAUP and the AFT. During 1938-1939, the University Chapter of AAUP studied questions of faculty participation in University administration. Correspondence and the results of a questionnaire on faculty participation is included in the folder on AAUP.

Papers relating to the American Federation of Teachers cover the dates 1936-1942. Lippincott was also extremely active in the AFT. He served as the organization's secretary from 1937-1938 and its president from 1938-1939. Included in this section is a paper of the National Academic Freedom Committee of the AFT entitled, "Statement of Principles with Particular Reference to Totalitarian Movements," (n.d.); information on AFT conventions; minutes of meeting of the Minnesota Federation of College Teachers, Local 444, 1937-1939; minutes of the Executive Committee of Local 444, 1937, 1939-1940; and AFT constitutions dated 1936-1939, and 1941.

The papers reflect Lippincott's value of academic freedom, individual rights and freedom of speech. This is evident in letters (from William Anderson and Benjamin Lippincott), reports regarding unofficial student organizations whose members held opinions and political views contrary to those of the University, a memorandum to Minnesota Local 444 from Dr. Lippincott regarding policies and problems of housing for black students at the University, and drafts of tenure proposals.