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James Freedman Papers

 Collection
Identifier: RG05.0001.014

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Abstract

Sixteenth president of the University of Iowa, 1982-1987

Dates

  • Creation: 1982-1987

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.

Biographical / Historical

A strong supporter of liberal arts education, James O. Freedman has cited its role in preparing students for community and national leadership. His 1996 book, Idealism and Liberal Education, was a call for such preparation.

Freedman received his B.A. cum laude from Harvard College in 1957 and his L.L.B. cum laude from Yale Law School in 1962. He was a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, practiced law in New York, and, in 1964, joined the University of Pennsylvania law school faculty, becoming the school's dean in 1979.

During his five years as president at Iowa, Freedman promoted international participation by U.S. universities, particularly in East Asia. He also advocated coupling academic research with economic development.

In 1987, Freedman was named president of Dartmouth College, a position he held for nearly 11 years. In 1998, he returned to teaching at Dartmouth and, in 2000, was elected the 42nd president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Freedman was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on September 21, 1935, and died March 21, 2006. He and his wife, Bathsheba, had two children.

Extent

7.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Method of Acquisition

These papers were transferred to the University Archives from the Office of the President in 1989. Guide posted to the Internet December 2006.

Related Materials

Freedman, James O. Finding the Words: The Education of James O. Freedman. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2007.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the University of Iowa Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242
319-335-5921