Edward Hinman Sirich papers

Collection

Identifier: uarc 779

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists primarily of personal papers, including a diary (1911-1915), passports, a collection of photographs, memorabilia of Sirich's service in the U.S. Army from 1917-1918, family records, and memorabilia and correspondence from his time studying at Johns Hopkins University. Some professional material relating to a couple of his textbooks he wrote is also included.

The most voluminous correspondence in the collection is with Benito Jofre, dating from 1950-1959. Jofre was a Spanish manufacturer of transmission chains who Sirich apparently helped by communicating with manufacturing companies in the U.S. as well as obtaining medical advice and medicine for his family and acquaintances through physicians known to Sirich. The letters reflect a growing personal interest between Jofre and Sirich. Second in volume are the letters of Arthur H. Cole, professor and librarian at Harvard University, which date from 1958 to 1963. They are personal in content with occasional discussions of scholarly life.

Most of the correspondence consists of letters and cards received by Sirich, with scarce pencilled drafts of his replies. A great many correspondents are represented by one or two cards or letters, which have been arranged chronologically into general correspondence folders.

Dates

Creation: 1911-1962

Creator

Sirich, Edward Hinman, 1884-1963 (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials in English, Spanish, French, and German

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 Edward Hinman Sirich (1884-1963)

Edward Hinman Sirich, B.A., Ph.D. (1914) Johns Hopkins University. Professor of romance languages at the University of Minnesota. Served as Consular Agent for France (1932-1939) and awarded the French Legion of Honor Metal (1952).

Edward H. "Si" Sirich was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 29, 1884. He taught modern languages at St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland from 1908-1912, and in 1914 he obtained his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. That same year, he came to the University of Minnesota, where he helped build a modern department of French undergraduate and graduate studies.

Sirich served in World War I, earning the Silver Medal by the minister of foreign affairs for liaison work in France. On his return, he resumed his rank of assistant professor (1917-1923), but left in 1923 to serve as dean of St. Johns College. He returned to Minnesota the next fall, as associate professor (1924-1929) and then professor (1929-1952) of romance languages until his retirement as professor emeritus.

Sirich focused on French literature of the 18th century, but he also taught beginning classes in French and Spanish. He was the author of textbooks such as French Review Grammar and Composition, Practical French Grammar, and Simplified French Grammar.

Sirich served as the Consular Agent for France from 1932-1939, and was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal in 1952. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and took an active role in the local chapter. Edward Sirich died on September 22, 1963 in Minneapolis after a brief illness, at the age of 79.