Olson, James C., 1917-2005

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1917-2005

Biography

James C. Olson earned his BA from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa in 1938 and his MA and PhD from the University of Nebraska. After serving in the Air Force during World War II, he became a faculty member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's history department in 1946. Olson served as the history department's chair from 1956-1965, and in 1962 he was appointed Martin Professor of History, a special recognition for outstanding faculty members. In 1966 he became the dean of the UNL graduate college and was named Vice-Chancellor for Graduate studies and Research at UNL in 1968.

Olson was director of the Nebraska State Historical Society from 1946-1956. In 1942 he published his first book, a biography of J. Sterling Morton. His "History of Nebraska" was published in 1955.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

James Olson, History Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RG-12-14-17

Scope and Contents The collection consists of James Olson's correspondence, which relates primarily the operation and activities of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's history department and includes information about staffing, fellowships, conferences, international programs, and students. The correspondence is general in nature and also contains letters asking Olson questions about history.Also included are committee minutes and reports, memos, course syllabus and lecture notes from Olson’s...

Dates: 1956-1967

Found in: Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries / James Olson, History Papers