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Papers of Ernest Alfred Benians Clark, George Sidney Roberts Kitson (1900-1975) historian
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Autograph letter signed from G. Kitson Clark to Benians

Sends B notes on Chair of American History with MS corrections and additions by Crawley - thinks it passes muster though would like B's comments. K not sure about starting with claim that chair be primarily attached to History Faculty - doesn't want them to look greedy. K type up draft embodying B's suggestions and submit it to Grierson and Salter.

Autograph letter signed from G. Kitson Clark, Trinity College Cambridge, to Benians

B no doubt noticed that Council of Senate reported against change in US Professorships and heard there to be discussion on Tuesday. K learnt today that Chairman of History Board to be put up to oppose report and speak for establishment of permanent resident chair. Knows Holland going to speak in favour of report and has got Master of Trinity to speak for it. K can't decide if he should speak - like to know what B do. K doesn't want to speak because: it means speaking in opposition to large majority of board on which he sits and having fought the matter there he doesn't want to carry on battle before University; it in middle of Tripos - K chairman of part I and has 280 papers to read and doesn't want to add responsibility at such a time; recent months K had slight doubts about policy of visiting professors, caused first by relative failure of Nichols as lecturer - his class deserted him. K wondered whether visiting professor can get length of English audience. Part of problem that they set Nichols to do outline course which ought not to be job of visiting professor. But now Thistlethwaite deserted them don't know who to do outline course unless get someone from outside. Steel immersed in special periods and K not sure if he has the personality. Report from Council of Senate suggests that visiting professor be attached sometimes to Law sometimes to Economics which mean that post not do work in building up school of US history that K and B desired. Can't help feeling that danger of Brogan, which probably one reason why K disliked resident professor scheme, is diminishing. K always thought Brogan not do work properly but now his reputation for negligence such that he might not be appointed. In spite of all this K still thinks should have permanent University lecturer/reader and visiting professor to give them knowledge of this or that side of US life and keep them in touch with US. Like to know what B intends to do and would advise - be grateful if B could see him in next few days. Thistlethwaite determined upon resident professor. K wishes Thistlethwaite not entered Economics faculty.

Autograph letter signed from G. Kitson Clark, Trinity College Cambridge, to Benians

Thanks B for letter about Nichols. Does B have reference work which gives Nichols' initials, title etc. to complete case for College Council? K extracted some information from Commager but not enough as he doesn't have Nichols' initials. Will write to Oakeshott to see what he got. Be grateful if B has kind of information which appears in Who's Who.

Typescript letter from Benians to G. Kiston Clark

Thanks K for notes on Chair of American History. Thinks it best to see complete draft before finally pass it. Doesn't think proposed American Committee should appear in any regulations - should be informal. Having suggested way in which think Professor should be elected should add that Board propose to consult with American scholars and believe that they be willing to serve on informal committee to advise them. Council of Senate rightly want to know how they going to proceed but University shouldn't legislate about matter. Would put provision assigning Professorship primarily to History Faculty towards end of notes. Wise not to suggest attaching name to Chair as no name seemed appropriate? If no name attached, Chair probably be known in American as 'Cambridge Professorship of American History' which quite satisfactory. No difficulty in putting regulation into statutes to limit scope to US though B rather say nothing. Like to see draft of suggestions in case he overlooked anything.

Typescript letter from Benians to G. Kitson Clark

Thanks K for letter and copy of letter to Murray Butler - letter explains position very well. Hopes it will secure end in view, sure it good first step. B pencilled few suggestions on text. Glad K show letter to Saunders. B would also show it to Knox-Shaw as it deals with financial matters.

Typescript letter from Benians to G. Kitson Clark

Thanks K for letters about American History project which he returns. Agrees next step to write to Pilgrim Trust - good thing to make needs known to them. Doubtful about applying to Commonwealth Fund as their money from US sources so unlikely to consider endowing Chair of American History here. In favour of K writing to Moberley to tell him what they doing - might be able to give advice.

Typescript letter from Benians to G. Kitson Clark

Thanks K for letting him see Mr Wilkie's letter which he returns. It can only do good to make known as widely as possible what they want - approaches to Carnegie Foundations help do this though can expect no help from them. Thinks next step for Appeal Committee to meet. Crawley sent letter and B bring it to meeting of Historical Board tomorrow. Evearts Greene is historian of reputation though B prefer younger man. Thinks they should wait for Commager's suggestions before acting.

Typescript letter from Benians to Kitson Clark

B heard about Thistlethwaite. Doesn't know if he give lectures useful to both faculties - if not Historical Board hopefully look for someone else to give general course. Steel be disposed to do it? Thinks right arrangement of teaching is for lecturer to do outline course leaving professor free in choice of what he lectures on. Regarding proposed change in regulations for Chair, H.S. Bennett told B that Council not decided what they going to propose to University. B hopes, like K, they not change present arrangement. To get American of mark each year is valuable thing for them to give school distinctive character and give them friends in American universities who be invaluable to their research students. To work well needs planning and foresight. B waiting to see report of Council and hopes it be discussed in Regent House.

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