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John B. Swinney Collection

An inventory of his collection at the Syracuse University Archives

Summary

Creator: Swinney, John B.
Title: John B. Swinney Collection
Dates: 1893-1989
Size: 2 boxes (1 linear foot)
Abstract: The John B. Swinney Collection contains materials relevant to his life as a teacher and merchandising specialist.
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 John B. Swinney

John Bayly Swinney was born in Lost Creek, West Virginia on November 5, 1879. In 1886, he and his family moved to DeRuyter, New York. Swinney moved through a teacher's training class throughout his initial schooling and, after graduation, began teaching in the area. He attended Cortland Normal School, starting in 1897, in order to prepare for college. He continued to teach in various counties over the next few years before attending Syracuse University in 1900 where he followed the classical course. The following year, however, his father became ill. He left Syracuse to return to DeRuyter, teaching and serving as principal at the Union School of Bridgewater. He soon reentered Syracuse University to resume his college education, continuing to teach when not occupied with his own school work. While at the University, he was a member of the Syracuse Chemical Club and the Syracuse Academy of Science, and he was an associate editor for the Daily Orange. Swinney graduated in 1904 with an applied baccalaureate degree.

After graduation, Swinney began teaching at the Griffith Institute in Springville, New York. In 1906, however, he had a change of careers and worked his way into sales with the help of his cousin, Robert Ogden. He soon became a traveling salesman for Longmans, Green, and Company, thus beginning his merchandising career. Swinney worked for a number of large companies throughout his life, working his way up to positions such as the managing director of Uptown Retail Guild and Specialty Stores Association. He wrote two books on merchandising, Merchandising, published in 1917, and Merchandising of Fashions, published in 1942. True to form, Swinney still taught throughout his career in sales, leading classes in marketing and retailing at institutions such as Tulane University, Columbia University, and New York University.

He died in Utica, New York on September 6, 1948.

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Scope and Content Note

The John B. Swinney Collection is divided into two series.

The Personal Life series contains materials such as a short biography written by his son, Holman J. Swinney, a course time sheet from his time at Syracuse University, correspondence, photographs, and information on his marriage to his wife, Alice.

The Professional Life series contains materials related to his time as both an educator and a merchandising specialist, including his two published books, correspondence, information on his time at the Griffith Institute, resumes, and written articles.

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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

More information on John B. Swinney can be found in the clipping files at the Syracuse University Archives.

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Swinney, John B. (John Baley), 1879-
Syracuse University -- Alumni and alumnae.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Merchandising.
College teachers.
Higher education.

Types of material

Correspondence.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

John B. Swinney Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Materials in this collection were donated to the Syracuse University Archives by Holman J. Swinney in 1989.

Processing Information

Materials are housed in acid-free folders and boxes.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Erin Carter
Date: 2015
Revision history:

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Arrangement

Materials are arranged by series and in alphabetical order.

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Inventory

Personal Life
Box 1 Boyhood (Short Biography by Son, Holman J. Swinney) 1989
Correspondence
Box 1 Condolences - After Death 1948-1952
Box 1 Holman J. Swinney (Son) 1939-1945
Box 1 Last Illness 1945-1947
Box 1 Personal and Family Letters 1897-1907
Box 1 Personal and Family Letters 1914-1942
Box 1 Robert C. Ogden (Cousin) 1905-1906
Box 1 Marriage 1909
Box 1 Masonic Order 1908-1912
Box 1 Mrs. John B. Swinney (Alice) 1955
Box 1 Passport 1928
Box 1 Photographs 1895-1940
Box 1 Student Certificates 1893-1904
Box 1 Syracuse University Time Sheet 1903-1904
Box 1 Wills 1922
Professional Life
Box 1 Bridgewater High School 1901-1902
Box 1 Correspondence 1936
Box 1 Griffith Institute 1904-1906
Box 2 Jobs 1898-1937
Box 2 Merchandising of Fashions Materials 1942
Publications
Box 2 Articles, Miscellaneous undated
Box 2 "Country Minister Prepares for Winter," by John Swinney undated
Box 2 "The Country Minister's Family Prepares for Winter," Heritage (reprint) 1989
Box 2 Merchandising by John B. Swinney 1917
Box 2 Merchandising of Fashion by John B. Swinney 1942
Box 2 Resumes undated
Box 2 Teacher's Certificates and Contracts 1903-1906
Box 2 Teacher of Fashion Merchandising 1939

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