Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Constitutions, minutes, correspondence, lecturers' files, and publicity material; include correspondence, 1890-1896, of Thomas C. Trueblood and James B. Angell relating to the establishment of the association

The papers of the University of Michigan Oratorical Association consist of nearly three linear feet of material. The collection is organized in five series: History, Minutes, Correspondence, Name File and Publicity

The uses of this collection are rather limited. Probably only researchers of the University of Michigan's history will find it of any value. Even then, the quality of the material here is low, consisting as it does primarily of newspaper clippings which are readily obtainable elsewhere. Although the Oratorical Association made use of many notable figures of the day, neither the Correspondence nor the Name-file yield unique information about these people. Possibly the only thing this collection reflects is the changing public taste in entertainment.

Professor of speech and drama at the University of Michigan, 1904-1949; papers document Hollister's teaching and development of the speech and drama programs at the university, include correspondence, course material and lecture notes, papers and photographs relating to dramatic productions, and some family material.

The Richard D. T. Hollister papers, 1887-1960, document his career as a professor of speech and theater and the development of the Department of Speech and theatrical productions at the University of Michigan. Correspondents include: Thomas E. Black, Marion L. Burton, John R. Effinger, Edward H. Kraus, J. Raleigh Nelson, James M. O'Neill, Theodore Roosevelt, Alexander G. Ruthven, and Thomas C. Trueblood. The Hollister papers are divided into three series; Richard D. T. Hollister, Hollister family and Photographs.