John Van Duyn Southworth Papers, 1962-1970: Finding Aid
Published in July 1986
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 226
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: John Van Duyn Southworth Papers
- Dates: 1962-1964
- Size: 3.13 linear feet
- Container Summary: 3 manuscript boxes, 1 half-manuscript box, 1 flat box
- Creator: Southworth, John Van Duyn, 1904-1986
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: John Van Duyn Southworth was an author, historian, editor and teacher. The papers consist of manuscript and proof copies of three of the four volumes of his naval history, War at Sea, as well as twenty-two original oil paintings of historic naval scenes painted by Southworth for inclusion in War at Sea.
Biography of John Van Duyn Southworth
John Van Duyn Southworth was born in Syracuse, New York on June 5, 1904, and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1922. After Phillips Exeter, he went on to receive a B.A. from Harvard University in 1926. Following graduation from Harvard, Southworth served as editor of the Iroquois Publishing Company in Syracuse from 1926 to 1935. Leaving Iroquois to pursue further education, he received an M.A. from Columbia University in 1936. In 1945, Southworth returned to Iroquois Publishing Company as editor. He became vice-president of the company in 1946 and served as president from 1950 to 1960. During the intervening years he taught at various schools in New York City and in Greenwich, Connecticut, as well as serving as Dean and head of the History Department of Hockway Junior College in Dallas, Texas, from 1943 to 1945.
Southworth wrote numerous books on American history, both alone and with his mother, Gertrude Southworth, or E. L. Thurston, including Old World History in Verse, Our Own United States, What About Communism, and a four-volume history entitled War at Sea. In addition to his books, Southworth also wrote educational motion picture and radio scripts, as well as articles for the Encyclopedia Britannica.
In addition to his writings, Southworth had several connections to the U.S. Navy. He was a long-time member of the United States Naval Institute, served as first president of the Syracuse Council of the Navy League, and was an honorary member of the crew of U.S.S. Lexington (Aircraft carrier : CVA-62). Southworth's son, John Van Duyn Southworth, Jr., was a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1954.
Southworth and his wife, Martha Bernard Collins, had three children. John Van Duyn Southworth died in 1986.
Description of Contents
The John Van Duyn Southworth Papers, comprising 3.13 linear feet of documentation, span from 1962 to 1970. The papers consist of manuscript and proof copies of three of the four volumes of his naval history, War at Sea, as well as original oil paintings of historic naval scenes painted by Southworth for inclusion in War at Sea.
Arrangement
The John Van Duyn Southworth Papers are organized into the following two series:
- Series 1: Book Manuscripts, 1967-1970
- Series 2: Oil Paintings, 1962-1964, undated
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The John Van Duyn Southworth Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Gift of John Van Duyn Southworth.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Documentation pertaining to Southworth's novel, The Pirate from Rome, is available in the John Van Duyn Southworth Papers, 1963-1966, at Syracuse University's Special Collections Research Center.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
John Van Duyn Southworth Papers, MS 226
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:
Southworth, John Van Duyn. War at Sea: The Ancient Fleets. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1968.
John Van Duyn Southworth Papers: An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University. Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries.
Processing Information
This collection was processed in July 1986. Finding aid written in July 1986 and revised by David D'Onofrio in May 2014.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Naval history
- Southworth, John Van Duyn, 1904-1986
Genre Terms
- Manuscripts
- Oil paintings (visual works)
Contents List
Series 2: Oil Paintings, 1962-1964, undated Boxes 4-5[OS]
Series DescriptionOil paintings, painted by Southworth, depicting various naval scenes, spanning from ancient times to World War II, including such battles as the Battle of Salamis, the Battle of Yalu, the Battle of Tsushima, and the Battle of Surigao Straits. The paintings were used as the original artwork for Southworth's War at Sea.
Series ArrangementArranged by item number.