Humphrey Tonkin Papers UPT 50 T614

Summary Information

Prepared by

Sara Mullen

Preparation date

April 2020

Date [bulk]

Bulk, 1966-1979

Date [inclusive]

1966-1994

Extent

3.25 Cubic feet

PROVENANCE

The Humphrey Tonkin Papers were donated to the University Archives in 2019 by Humphry Tonkin (accession number 2019:087).

ARRANGEMEN

The Humphrey Tonkin Papers are organized into three series: English Department and Teaching Materials 1966-1983, Administrative Materials 1966-1983, and Miscellaneous Materials 1966-1983. The folders within these series are arranged alphabetically, then chronologically.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Humphrey Tonkin (1939-) joined the faculty of the English Department at the University of Pennsylvania in 1966. Born in England, he received his BA (1962) and MA (1966) from Cambridge University, and his PhD from Harvard University, also in 1966. In 1970, he received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1974.

In addition to his teaching, Dr. Tonkin held a number of administrative positions during his time at Penn. In 1971, he was appointed to the newly created post of Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, overseeing the University’s six undergraduate schools and coordinating programs within each. He held this position until 1975. He was appointed Chair of the Council on Performing Arts in 1974, which was tasked with considering new program in development for the Annenberg Center. In 1977, he took over as Coordinator of the Office of International Programs, which oversaw foreign student services and study abroad programs.

Dr. Tonkin left the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 to serve as President of Potsdam University in New York. He went on to serve as President of the University of Hartford in Connecticut from 1989-1998.

In addition to his specialization in sixteenth and seventeenth century English literature, Dr. Tonkin also had a keen interest in languages, particularly Esperanto. He served both as President of the Esperanto Studies Association of America and the Universal Esperanto Association. He also had an interest in the development of language and international studies curricula in higher education, serving as editor of the International Education Review.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Humphrey Tonkin Papers documents Dr. Tonkin’s activities during his time at the University of Pennsylvania both as a professor and an administrator. This includes memos and correspondence with other faculty members, students, and individuals outside the University; materials related to his courses including syllabi and exams; and materials related to his own research and work outside of Penn. The bulk of the collection focuses on Dr. Tonkin’s activities as an English professor, while also giving insight into the structure and activities of the University’s English Department as a whole in the late 1960s and through the 1970s. The collection provides insight into the governance of the University through materials related to the University Senate, Council, and various committees. These include meeting minutes, proposals, and reports. Dr. Tonkin’s time in his various administrative positions are documented through memos, correspondence, reports, proposals, and articles. Dr. Tonkin’s activities outside the University are less thoroughly documented, consisting mainly of correspondence, but also includes reports and evaluations written on behalf of the Middle States Association.

Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

University of Pennsylvania. College of Arts and Sciences.

University of Pennsylvania. Department of English.

Occupation(s)

College teachers.

Subject(s)

English literature–Study and teaching (Higher)

Inventory