Leslie W. Scofield Papers

Collection

Identifier: M079

Staff Only

Abstract

Leslie W. Scofield served as professor of history at the University of Denver, Denver, Colo. He established the Archives for the University of Denver in 1959 under the auspices of Stuart Baillie, director of the University of Denver libraries. Scofield served as the first University Archivist. Scofield's papers cover the history of Colorado Seminary, 1864-1868 and the University of Denver. The collection includes materials on the original trustees, chancellors including John Evans and Henry A. Buchtel, faculty and staff, as well as the Central City Opera House Association. The collection contains the charter for the Colorado Seminary as well as speeches, maps, biographical sketches, manuscripts, photographs, minutes, and newspaper clippings.

Dates

1864-1962

Creator

Scofield, Leslie W., 1864-1976 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Leslie W. Scofield was born on May 17, 1887 to Sherman and Florence Scofield, in Denver, Colorado. He was educated in the Denver Public Schools and graduated from Manual Training High School in 1906. With encouragement from friends and relatives, he decided to further his education and so enrolled in the University of Denver. In June of 1910 he graduated from the University of Denver with a B.A. degree in History. In March of 1910, he was offered a teaching position at Warren Academy, the Preparatory School of the University, as the history and civics professor. He continued teaching until the Academy closed in 1917.

In 1911, he received his M.A. degree in History from the University of Denver. Shortly thereafter, he met his wife, Jessie Cushing, and the two were married in 1913. They had one child, Ruth, born in 1917. He returned to the University of Denver as an instructor in the fall of 1918, teaching history and plane trigonometry. After a few years he moved to teaching full time in the combined Department of History and Political Science. In 1935 he attained the rank of full professor, and the combined department was divided, with Scofield taking over the chairmanship of the History Department. He retired in 1955, and became Professor Emeritus at the University of Denver. In late 1958, Mr. Stuart Baillie, who was Director of the University of Libraries, asked Leslie Scofield to assist him in establishing archives for the University. He worked at the University of Denver’s archives from 1959 until his death in 1962.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (1 record box and one half record box)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The Leslie W. Scofield Papers consist primarily of historical accounts of the Colorado Seminary (1864-1868), the University of Denver, history of the state of Colorado, the Central City Opera House Association, and the personal papers of Leslie Scofield. The historical materials were compiled by Scofield, who was an alumnus of the University of Denver, a Professor of history at the University, and the University's first archivist. This was his personal collection compiled while he was at the University of Denver. Highlights of the collection include materials on the original trustees, accounts of Dr. John Evans and the founding of Colorado Seminary and the University of Denver; materials on Chancellor Henry A. Buchtel; faculty and staff; Scofield's own autobiography; historical maps of the University campus when it was first established; and Colorado Seminary’s school charter. The collection also contains speeches, maps, biographical sketches, manuscripts, photographs, meeting minutes, and newspaper clippings.