Photos academic colleagues, 1954-1960s

This is a collection of the papers of Francis Loewenheim, who taught history at Rice University from 1959 to 1996. The papers contain family correspondence, class notes, drafts and manuscripts for his writings. There are numerous family photographs and also photographs of musicians and composers.

The collection consists of 9 series: Correspondence, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library Case, Loewenheim Family WWII Related Materials, Personal, Provost Office files on Francis Loewenheim, Manuscripts and Speeches, Published Materials, Additional Loewenheim Family Materials, and Images and Oversize Items.

Loewenheim was an historian at heart, and he kept all of his correspondence, whether personal or professional. Loewenheim was an enthusiastic letter writer to colleagues and family. He often wrote to his family, in particular his mother, from two to five times a day, including postcards and lengthy letters. In addition to family correspondence he wrote to colleagues as well. His letters are full of comments, asides, and insights about the various places where he studied or worked, including Princeton University and Rice University. Loewenheim loved music and often wrote about performances he heard and personalities he encountered.

In his prolific correspondence, he wrote about the issues of the day from the Red Scare of the 1950s to local issues such as the Masterson controversy at Rice Univerisity.

Loewenheims life was not without controversy. He became embroiled in a legal battle about access to materials within the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, New York. He saved the documentation and his correspondence surrounding the case.

This collection consists of 10 linear feet (10 boxes) covering the years 1948 to 1996. The materials are in excellent shape.