Guide to Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, Edward H. Litchfield, Administrative Files, 1956-1965 UA.2.10.1956-1965

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, Edward H. Litchfield, Administrative Files
Creator
University of Pittsburgh. Chancellor
Collection Number
UA.2.10.1956-1965
Extent
65 Linear Feet (155 boxes)
Date
1956-1965
Abstract
CONTENT WARNING -- This finding aid contains records that have been identified as including offensive, harmful, racist, or misrepresentative creator supplied language. In keeping with archival best practice, this language has been retained to preserve the context of the records. In keeping but acknowledging this language, A&SC hopes to encourage critical assessment and questioning of historical materials. Researchers should bear this in mind when accessing. Edward H. Litchfield, formerly the Dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at Cornell University, assumed the role of Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh on July 1, 1956. This collection contains a large amount of material dealing with all aspects of Litchfield's administration including his resignation on July 1, 1965.
Language
English .
Author
Molly Miller and Bethany Mummert.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Biography

Edward H. Litchfield, formerly the Dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at Cornell University, assumed the role of Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh on July 1, 1956. In addition to his new position as Chancellor, Litchfield maintained several connections to the business world, including committee memberships and directorships with corporations such as Smith-Corona, Avco, and Studebaker-Packard.

Litchfield orchestrated many changes at the University of Pittsburgh such as a reorganization of the administrative structure, salary increases for employees, and pension increases for retired professors. He focused many of his early activities on improving faculty conditions, reducing teaching loads, and implementing sabbatical leaves and the formation of the Senate Council. A second focus was on improving and developing the academic programs by limiting entrance to professional schools to graduate students and by improving the quality of the professors.

One of Litchfield's most important contributions was physically expanding the campus through the addition of dormitories, the purchase of the Schenley Hotel and the acquisition or construction of several additional buildings. Financial problems, due to overspending and unforeseen problems, characterized the later part of Litchfield's chancellorship, until his resignation in July, 1965.

He, along with his wife, his two youngest children, and his mother, were killed in a private airplane crash on March 8, 1968 over Lake Michigan near Meigs Field. The Litchfield Towers (dormitories) on Pitt's main campus were named in his honor.

Related Material

The Archives Service Center also holds the personal papers of Edward H. Litchfield.

Scope and Content Notes

This collection contains a large amount of material dealing with all aspects of Litchfield's administration. The material dates from 1956 to 1965, his term in the office. It contains a number of different items, but primarily correspondence.

The material is arranged into two series, the first of which is arranged alphabetically by topic and chronologically within the topic. The second series contains material identified by the Chancellor as being of archival value. These items are arranged, broadly, by topical categories.

Access Restrictions

Folder 1317 in Box 156 is restricted because it contains personnel files.

Acquisition Information

The collection was transferred to the University Archives in 1965.

Previous Citation

Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, Edward H. Litchfield, Administrative Files, 1956-1965, UA.2.10.1956-1965, University Archives, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, Edward H. Litchfield, Administrative Files, 1956-1965, UA.2.10.1956-1965, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Molly Miller and Bethany Mummert in June 1998. Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Kate Colligan in January 1999 and September 2003.

Copyright

All rights reserved. University of Pittsburgh.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • University of Pittsburgh. Chancellor -- Records and correspondence
    • University of Pittsburgh -- Administration

    Personal Names

    • Litchfield, Edward H. (Edward Harold)

    Genres

    • Correspondence
    • Administrative records

    Other Subjects

    • University of Pittsburgh
    • Universities and colleges -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Records and correspondence
    • Universities and colleges -- Administration -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List