Charles Sutphin Pendleton Papers, 1898-1948
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Administrative/Biographical History
Charles Sutphin Pendleton, son of George Franklin and Mary Belle (Sutphin) Pendleton, was born in Findlay, Ohio, February 27, 1879. He enrolled at Oberlin College in 1897 and graduated in 1901 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He remained in Oberlin for the following two years as a graduate student and Tutor in English at Oberlin College’s Academy, and received the degree of Master of Arts in 1903. From 1904 to 1910 he was a teacher at East High School in Minneapolis, MN, and a graduate student at the University of Minnesota for part of this time. From 1910 to 1912 he was Professor of English at Carlton College, also in Minnesota. He was a student at Harvard University from 1912 to 1915. From 1915 to 1919 he taught at the University of Wisconsin. The years 1919 to 1921 were spent in study in the University of Chicago, where he received a PhD, Magna Cum Laude, in 1921.
For the following academic year Pendleton was Research Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Winnetka, IL. For the greater part of his career, from 1922 to 1946, he was Professor of English and head of the department at Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, TN. From 1946 to 1948 he was a teacher at Austin Peay State College in Clarksville, TN. He participated in numerous civic and professional organizations, many in leadership roles, such as the Tennessee Folklore Society, the National Social Science Honor Society, the Nashville Committee of 100 for Law Enforcement, and as editor of the Peabody Journal of Education.
Pendleton was married on August 14, 1905 to Jessie Mitchell Hamilton of the Oberlin College class of 1901, who died in 1915. He and his second wife, Lillian Hortensia Bruce, were married on April 28, 1916. Lillian was a graduate of Wellesley College (1903), and received an MA from Peabody College (now Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College) in 1927. She was a social service worker at Nashville General Hospital as of 1948.
Charles Pendleton’s death occurred during sleep as he rested in his office on the campus of Austin Peay State College after a day of teaching on October 21,1948. He was survived by his wife, two adopted daughters and their children.
Source
Charles Sutphin Pendleton student file, Alumni and Development Records (RG 28), Oberlin College Archives.
Author: Anne Cuyler Salsich Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The Charles Sutphin Papers is a small collection that primarily reflects Pendleton’s years at Oberlin College, from 1897 to 1903. The materials provide insight into student life at the time, including athletics, exhibitions, concerts, social life, the college’s Mock Convention, commencement, and the inauguration of President Henry Churchill King. The collection holds very little correspondence.
The Papers are arranged into folders, by topic or genre of material.
Folder 1. Athletics, 1901-04
Consists of undated posters advertising student-faculty baseball games, an undated ticket to a basketball game, and two score books from the 1901 baseball season.
Folder 2. Alumni Correspondence, 1901, 1903, n.d.
This series covers the longest time period in the collection, comprising correspondence received by Professor Pendleton after his graduation in 1901 (2 letters),
Folder 3. Art Exhibition, 1902
Contains ephemera related to an art exhibition: Two tickets, a program, and a calling card.
Folder 4. Biographical, ca. 1942, 1948
Comprises a booklet about Pendleton’s teaching at George Peabody College for Teachers inscribed in 1942, and a tribute to Pendleton by several writers upon his death in 1948, published by Peabody College.
Folder 5. Commencements, 1902-04
Consists of items associated with commencements at Oberlin College from 1902-04.
Folders 6-7. Concert Programs, 1898-1904 (2f)
Programs for concerts by the Oberlin Conservatory and at First Church in Oberlin, revealing the variety of musical events during the period.
Folder 8. Inauguration of Henry Churchill King, 1903
Items associated with the inauguration of President Henry Churchill King on May 13, 1903, including programs and a poem.
Folder 9. Invitations and Calling Cards, 1893-1901
Includes invitations and calling cards from President Henry Churchill King, the Barrows family, and the Harkness family.
Folder 10. Membership Cards, 1901
Membership cards for the YMCA and Warner Gymnasium.
Folder 11. Miscellaneous Student Life, 1898-1905
Includes two joke books, an 1898 student handbook, various tickets for lectures and oratorial competitions, and programs associated with a 1902 “Love Feast.”
Folder 12. Mock Republican Convention, 1904, n.d.
Consists of mementos from the Mock Republican Convention’s Michigan delegation of 1904. Includes song lyrics, a ribbon, poster, program and ticket.
Folder 13. Receipts, 1898-1904
Receipts for board from Baldwin Cottage and Talcott Hall (1883-1904), access to Warner Gymnasium (1902-03), and for Pendleton’s diploma.
Folder 14. Song Lyrics, n.d.
Printed and handwritten lyrics for songs other than those for the Mock Convention in folder 12.