John C. Livingston Papers

Collection

Identifier: M058

Staff Only

Abstract

John Charles Livingston (1935-1999) served as professor and chair of the History Department of the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado from 1963-1964 and from 1968-1999. His areas of expertise were United States intellectual and social history in the 20th century, concentrating on the 1960s and American Jewish history. He wrote several books including, Clarence Darrow: Sentimental Rebel (1988) and Jews of the American West (1989). He was a founder and research director of the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society & the Ira M. Beck Archives. Livingston was also on the Board of Trustees of The American Jewish Historical Society from 1987-1990. His papers contain correspondence, lecture notes and readings for classes, book manuscripts, bibliographies, contracts, curriculum guides, book reviews, and articles. Also included are notes, papers and final exams from Livingston's education as well as photographs, audiocassettes, and videocassettes.

Dates

1956-1999

Creator

Livingston, John Charles, 1935-1999 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

John Charles Livingston was born on February 24, 1935, in New Haven, Connecticut and died on October 25, 1999, in Denver, Colorado. Livingston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard College in 1956, with a B.A. in history. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin, earning an M.S. in 1958 and a Ph.D. in 1965.

John Livingston was initially appointed visiting assistant professor of history at the University of Denver for the 1963/1964 academic year. From 1964 to 1968, Livingston was assistant professor of history at Colorado Women's College (Temple Buell College). In 1968, Livingston rejoined the University of Denver History Department as an associate professor. ''Dr. John'', as he was affectionately known, served as Acting Chairperson, then Chairperson of the University History Department from 1977 to 1983 and again from 1993 to 1999.

Livingston's area of emphasis was American intellectual and social history. Courses taught while at the University of Denver included America in the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power, as well as American Jewish history. He received many awards for his teaching excellence while at the University, including the Pioneer Award in 1980, the Office of Student Life Special Recognition Award in 1981, and the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1988.

Livingston was a prolific author and editor. His books include Clarence Darrow: Sentimental Rebel (Garland Press, 1988) and Jews in the American West (Wayne State University Press, 1989), for which he was co-editor with Moses Rischin. He wrote numerous biographical sketches and book reviews in professional journals and encyclopedias such as History: A Review of New Books, American Jewish Historical Quarterly, The Colorado Magazine, Rocky Mountain Social Science Journal, and Encyclopedia USA.

Livingston was very active in the Jewish community. He was a founder and Research Director of the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society & Ira M. Beck Archives, and served as editor of the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Notes from 1980-1999. With Rich Castro, Livingston founded Chicano-Jewish Dialogues, 1981-1985. He received the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society Annual Heritage Award in 1995 and the Human Relations Award as President of the Colorado Chapter, American Jewish Committee in 1984.

Livingston is survived by his wife Nancy and daughter Julie.

Extent

9 Linear Feet (9 record boxes)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The papers contain University of Denver History Department records, personal correspondence, lecture notes and readings for classes Livingston taught at the University; book manuscripts, bibliographies, contracts, curriculum guides, book reviews, and articles published during his career. In addition, there are records from the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society and the American Jewish Committee. A section on the history of Denver includes photographs. The collection also contains Livingston's class notes, papers and final exams from Livingston's undergraduate and graduate education including his doctoral education. The collection includes audiocassettes of historical programs from television and two VHS videotapes.