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Guthrie Birkhead Papers

An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse University Archives

Summary

Creator: Birkhead, Guthrie S.
Title: Guthrie Birkhead Papers
Dates: 1940-1999
Size: 6 boxes (3.75 linear feet)
Abstract: Materials related to Birkhead's time as professor of political science at Syracuse University.
Language: English
Repository: University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives

Biography

Photograph of Guthrie Birkhead at his desk

Guthrie S. Birkhead (1920-2013) was a professor and dean at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Born on October 28, 1920 in Holden, Missouri, Birkhead earned a bachelor’s degree in 1942 and a master’s degree in 1947 from the University of Missouri while also working as a graduate instructor in political science there. Between these two degrees, he served in the military during World War II. At Princeton University, he worked as an assistant instructor in politics while earning a second master’s degree (1949) and a doctorate in politics (1951). Before Birkhead was awarded his final degree, he was appointed as an instructor at Syracuse University, where he later became an assistant professor, associate professor and professor of political science and public administration.

Besides teaching, Birkhead contributed to his field in other ways. He served as the associate director of the Delaware Valley Project of the Delaware River Basin Commission and co-director of a National Science Foundation project with Syracuse University administrator Clark Ahlberg that studied research programs in New York State government agencies. Birkhead worked on several other publications and writings with his colleagues as well as on his own.

In 1959, Birkhead started his path of leadership at Maxwell by becoming the chair of the political science department until 1962. After serving as the associate dean starting in 1973 and acting dean in 1975, Birkhead was the dean of the Maxwell School from 1977 until 1988. Upon leaving deanship, he continued to teach, even after retiring and becoming faculty emeritus. In July of 2013, Birkhead died.

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Scope and Content Note

The Guthrie Birkhead Papers contain materials relating to his professional work and study as well as his career as a Syracuse University professor. Spanning from 1940 to 1999, the Guthrie Birkhead Papers are divided into five series: Correspondence, Coursework and Lectures, Delaware Valley Project, National Science Foundation Grant Project and Professional Work.

Correspondence includes letters sent to Birkhead involving his work in committees and as a member of Syracuse University faculty.

Coursework and Lectures contains Birkhead's materials for classes he taught and took as well as written work pertaining to lectures he gave.

Delaware Valley Project contains drafts and work relating to the publication of River Basin Administration and the Delaware (1960). Birkhead served as the associate director of the project as part of the Delaware River Basin Commission. Please note that correspondence relating to this project is located in the Correspondence series.

National Science Foundation Grant Project includes materials relating to a grant project funded by the National Science Foundation. Although the project encompassed several states, Birkhead served as co-director with Clark Ahlberg to study research programs in New York State government agencies. Their research led to the publication of Science and State Government in New York: A Study of the Scientific Research and Development Activities of State Government Agencies (1956). Included in this series are forms from the National Science Foundation as well as correspondence from the individual agencies.

Professional Work consists of Birkhead's articles and work in relation to organizations and projects. Also included are materials related to his work for committees and conferences.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

Also in the Archives is a clippings file and portrait file on Guthrie Birkhead.

More information regarding Birkhead's deanship can be found in the Maxwell School's Guthrie Birkhead Files in the Archives.

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Birkhead, Guthrie S.
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Public administration.
Political science.
College teachers.
Higher education.

Types of material

Articles.
Correspondence.
Grant proposals.
Lecture notes.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Guthrie Birkhead Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Some of the Guthrie Birkhead Papers were donated by his wife, Louise Birkhead, in 2015.

Processing Information

Materials were placed in archival folders and boxes. Papers relating to Birkhead's time as a professor were removed from the Maxwell School's Guthrie Birkhead Files and placed in this collection.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Anna Smallwood
Date: 2016
Revision history:

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Arrangement

Materials are arranged in alphabetical order within series.

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Inventory

Correspondence
Box 1 Burkhead, Jesse 1957-1959
Box 1 Corps of Engineers 1957-1959
Box 1 Community chest 1958
Box 1 Delaware River Basin advisory committee 1957-1959
Box 1 Delaware Valley project 1957-1959
Box 1 Department of Audit and Control - consulting work 1957-1958
General correspondence
Box 1 A-F 1957-1959
Box 1 G-L 1957-1959
Box 1 M-R 1957-1959
Box 1 S-Z 1957-1959
Box 1 [Chronological] 1988
Box 2 [Chronological] 1989 (3 folders)
Box 3 [Chronological] 1990-1999 (10 folders)
Box 3 Interoffice 1950-1956
Box 4 Interoffice 1957-1959
Box 4 Pugliese, Donato J. 1957-1958
Box 4 Research institute - William Wheadon 1957-1958
Box 4 Resources for the Future, Inc. 1957-1959
Box 4 University College 1950-1954
Coursework and lectures
Box 4 Lecture to master of public administration students 1997
Box 4 Missouri examinations 1940-1946
Box 4 Political science 1948-1954
Box 4 Political science 121 Urban government and administration 1951-1957
Box 4 Political science 2 a&b 1950-1951
Box 4 Political science 200C (Albany) 1954-1957
Box 4 PPA 730, Ethics for public servants Spring 1990
Box 4 PPA 730, Ethics for public servants Spring 1991
Box 4 PPA 730, Ethics for public servants Spring 1992
Box 4 PPA 745, Intergovernmental relation Fall 1990
Box 4 PPA 745, Intergovernmental relation Fall 1991
Box 4 PPA 745, Intergovernmental relation Fall 1992
Box 4 PPA 745, Intergovernmental relation Fall 1993
Box 4 PPA 745, Intergovernmental relation Fall 1995
Box 4 PPA 746, Ethics and morality in public affairs Spring 1995
Box 4 PPA 746, Ethics and morality in public affairs Spring 1996
Box 4 PPA 746, Ethics and morality in public affairs Spring 1997
Box 4 PPA 746, Ethics and morality in public affairs, final examinations 1974-1995
Box 4 PPA 895 Fall 1989, 1990
Princeton
Box 4 Political theory 1949
Box 4 Politics I 1950
Box 4 Politics II 1948
Box 4 Public opinion papers 1948-1949
Box 4 Public administration 1951
Box 4 George Pedraza independent study paper 1990
Delaware Valley project
Box 5 "An administrative structure for water resources management in the Delaware Valley" 1959
Box 5 "Brief study of the benefit-cost analysis" 1958
Box 5 "Financial and organizational aspects of recreation in the Delaware Valley" 1958
Box 5 "Financing a Delaware water resources program" 1959
Box 5 "The functions of water resources administration" 1958
Box 5 "Growth projections for five selected industries in the Delaware River Basin 1960-1980" 1959
Box 5 "Industrial and municipal water in the Delaware Valley" 1957
Box 5 "Low-flow regulation and municipal and industrial water supply: certain aspects related to national policy formation, Mahoning Valley and Delaware Valley development" 1958
Box 5 "The New Jersey state legislature: attitudes on water policy" 1958
Box 5 Project outlines 1958
Box 6 "Public participation in Delaware basin planning" 1957
Box 6 "The role of the states in basin water development" 1958
Box 6 "Revenue from the sale of hydro-electric power" 1959
National Science Foundation grant project
Box 6 Bureau of Motor Vehicles undated
Box 6 Commission on Uniform State Law undated
Box 6 Department of Health 1954
Box 6 Department of Labor 1954
Box 6 Department of Labor, Division of Employment 1954
Box 6 Department of Law 1954
Box 6 Department of Mental Hygiene 1954
Box 6 Department of Public Works 1954
Box 6 Department of Public Works, Bureau Highway Planning 1954
Box 6 Department of Public Works, Bureau of Soil Mechanics 1954
Box 6 Department of Public Works, Landscape Bureau 1954
Box 6 Department of Social Welfare 1954
Box 6 Department of State 1954
Box 6 Department of Taxation and Finance 1954
Box 6 Dormitory authority 1954
Box 6 Flood Control Commission 1954
Box 6 Insurance department 1954
Box 6 Joint Legislative Committee on Cerebral Palsy 1954
Box 6 Joint Legislative Committee on Imitation Milk Products and Problems 1954
Box 6 Joint Legislative Committee on Interstate Cooperation 1954
Box 6 Judicial council 1954
Box 6 Law revision committee 1954
Box 6 National Institute of Health 1954
Box 6 New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission 1954
Box 6 New York City Transit Authority 1954
Box 6 New York State Psychiatric Institute 1954
Box 6 New York state teachers retirement system 1954
Box 6 Public Service Commission 1954
Box 6 State Board of Equalization and Assessment 1954
Box 6 State Commission of Pensions undated
Box 6 State Crime Commission 1954
Box 6 State Mental Health Commission 1954
Box 6 State Youth Commission 1954
Box 6 Temporary Commission on Agriculture 1954
Box 6 Temporary Commission on Coordination of State Activities 1954-1955
Box 6 Temporary Commission on the Courts of the State of New York 1954-1955
Box 6 Temporary Commission on Fiscal Affairs of State Government 1954
Box 6 Temporary Highway Finance Planning Commission 1954
Box 6 Temporary State Housing Rent Commission 1954
Box 6 Thruway authority 1954
Box 6 Traffic commission 1954
Professional Work
Box 6 Birkhead - Bradley project undated
Box 6 Chapel advisory committee 1952
Box 6 Human relations conference at Harvard 1952
Box 6 Interlocal cooperation in New York 1958
Box 6 "How the campus proposal failed in Syracuse, New York" 1970
Box 6 Liberal arts coordination - University College 1952-1953
Box 6 Liberal arts coordination - University College 1953-1955
Box 6 Liberal arts curriculum committee 1957-1959
Box 6 New Jersey Society for Public Administration 1950
Box 6 Phi Beta Kappa 1990-1991
Box 6 Political union undated
Box 6 Politics Club 1946-1948

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