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Wardle, Ralph M.

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1909 - 1988

Biography

Ralph M. Wardle (1909-1988) was a professor of English at the Municipal University of Omaha and its successor the University of Nebraska at Omaha (1938-1940; 1944-1976), serving as chair of the English department for much of that time (1946-1969). After retiring from UNO, he taught at Creighton University in Omaha for five years. After retiring from Creighton, he taught at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts until 1987, the year before his death.

He authored many books in the field of English literature, including works about Oliver Goldsmith, Mary Wollstonecraft, and William Hazlett. UNO awarded him the 1974 Excellence in Teaching Award and named a professorship after him, the Ralph Wardle Diamond Professor of Arts and Sciences.

He received a B.A. (1931) from Dartmouth and an M.A. (1934) and Ph.D. (1940) from Harvard University, where he served as a professor and tutor prior to coming to OU. Wardle was past president of the American Association of University Professors, the Nebraska Council of Teachers of English, and the English-Speaking Union. He was awarded the Jefferis Chair of English Literature in 1962 and in 1971 was named the first UNO Foundation Professor for outstanding teaching and research.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Omaha Collection

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: UNO-0115
Scope and Contents The Omaha Collection is an eclectic mix of files relating to the city of Omaha, Nebraska, and to areas of research pursued by faculty members of the Municipal University of Omaha, notably Ralph M. Wardle, professor of English, and Wilfred Payne, professor of Philosophy. The miscellaneous portions of the collection include material unrelated to Omaha. The collection includes information on Boys Town; the City of Omaha Financial Bulletin (1929); a Douglas County Election Announcement...
Dates: 1854-1985
Found in: University of Nebraska at Omaha Archives & Special Collections / Omaha Collection

Reflections in Time: Interview with Ralph Wardle, 1985

 Item
Identifier: UNO-0021-rfit-ralph-wardle
Scope and Contents In July 2, 1985, Ralph Wardle, University of Nebraska at Omaha Professor (1938-1940; 1944-1976) and chair (1946-1969) of English, was interviewed by Paul Borge for Reflections in Time. Professor Ralph Wardle (1910-1988) received a B.A. (1931) from Dartmouth and an M.A. (1934) and Ph.D. (1940) from Harvard University. Wardle was past president of the American Association of University Professors, the Nebraska Council of Teachers of English, and the English-Speaking Union. He was awarded the...
Dates: 1985
Found in: University of Nebraska at Omaha Archives & Special Collections / UNO-0021, UNO Media Collection / UNO Interview Series / Reflections in Time

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