Repository:

Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Title:

Howard P. Vincent papers

Inclusive Date(s):

1921-1985

Author:

Finding aid prepared by Craig S. Simpson

Creation:

Finding aid encoded by Craig S. Simpson using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2009

Description Rules:

Finding aid prepared using DACS

Origination:

Vincent, Howard Paton, 1904-

Extent:

38.5 cubic feet (37 record storage boxes, 1 half doc case, 1 box of photographs, and 2 index card boxes.)

Physical Location:

11th floor

Finding Aid Identifier:

OhKeUSC0090

Abstract:

Howard P. Vincent was a professor of English at Kent State University from 1961 to 1975, and an authority on the works of Herman Melville and Honore Daumier. The Howard P. Vincent papers include materials pertaining to his research on Melville and Daumier, along with other significant works.

Language(s):

The records are in English.

Biography of Howard P. Vincent

Howard P. Vincent was born in Galesburg, Illinois on October 4, 1904. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Oberlin College, followed by a master of arts and a doctoral degree from Harvard University. Vincent taught English at West Virginia University, Hillsdale College, and Illinois Institute of Technology before arriving at Kent State University in 1961. He taught at Kent State for fourteen years, in 1968 becoming one of the first KSU faculty to earn the rank of University Professor. Shortly after his retirement in 1975, Vincent became Emeritus Professor of English; and in 1982, he received the President's Medal for extraordinary service to the university. Additionally, he was a three-time Fulbright lecturer in Europe as well as director of library services for the U.S. Information Service in France.

Vincent earned international renown as the preeminent American scholar on Herman Melville, writing the acclaimed The Trying-Out of Moby Dick (1949) and serving as general editor for The Complete Works of Herman Melville (1947). He also wrote Daumier and His World (1968), the first English-language biography of the French artist Daumier, and was an avid art collector of more than 3,000 of Daumier's lithographs, woodcuts and other works.

In 1985, Vincent died in Ogunquit, Maine at the age of 80.

Scope and Content

The Howard P. Vincent papers range from 1921-1985 and include subject files, correspondence, newsclippings, audio-visual materials and photographs. Additionally, the collection features materials pertaining to Vincent's studies of Herman Melville and Honore Daumier, as well as an unpublished manuscript on human sexuality titled Sex and the Senior Citizen.

Statement of Arrangement

The Howard P. Vincent papers are arranged by the following series and subseries:

• Series 1: Subject Files
• Series 2: Correspondence
• Subseries A: Individual Correspondence
• Subseries B: Miscellaneous Correspondence
• Series 3: Herman Melville Materials
• Series 4: Honore Daumier Materials
• Series 5: Newsclippings
• Series 6: Miscellaneous Materials
• Series 7: Audio-Visual Materials
• Series 8: Photographs

Separated Material

Books in this collection have been cataloged in LIBRARYsearch.

Processing Information

To ensure faster accessibility for researchers, this collection has been processed at a general level of detail. Researchers may need to plan for extra time to locate materials in the collection.

Restrictions on Access

Grades and other student records are restricted.

Preferred Citation

Howard P. Vincent papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Subject Headings

The following subjects are found in this collection:

Subjects:

• American literature--19th century--History and criticism
• Art, French--19th century
• Older people--Sexual behavior

Persons:

• Vincent, Howard Paton, 1904- --Archives
• Melville, Herman, 1819-1891
• Daumier, Honore, 1808-1879

Organizations/Corporations:

• Kent State University

Functions:

• Criticism
• American literature--History and criticism

Occupations:

• College teachers
• Critics

Material Types:

• Correspondence
• Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
• Photographs

Detailed Description of The Collection