Little, Clarence C. (Clarence Cook), 1888-1971

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President of University of Michigan, 1925-1929.

From the description of Clarence Cook Little papers, 1924-1929. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34423334

C.C. Little was President of the University of Maine from 1922-25, President of the University of Michigan 1925-29, graduated from Harvard in 1910. Was director of Jackson Memorial Laboratory 1929-1971, and a researcher in the fields of cancer, genetics, and tobacco.

From the description of Papers 1910-1976. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 778701364

Clarence C. Little, biologist, genetics and cancer researcher, was President of the University of Michigan, 1925-1929. Born Oct. 6, 1888 in Brookline, Massachusetts, Little was a graduate of Harvard (A.B. 1910; S.M. Graduate School of Applied Science 1912; Sc.D. 1914) where he served as secretary of the Harvard Corporation while completing graduate work in biology and genetics. He held several research positions at Harvard 1911-1918. He continued his research work at Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, and in 1921 became Assistant Director of the Station for Experimental Evaluation, Carnegie Institute. A year later he was appointed president of the University of Maine. Following is tenure at Michigan, Little served as director of the Jackson Memorial Laboratory, 1929-1956 (emeritus director 1956-1971). Little died December 22, 1971.

Following President Burton's death in February 1925, Dean Alfred Lloyd was appointed Acting President, while a committee consisting of three Regents -- William Clements, Junius Beal, and Walter Sawyer -- and three faculty members -- G. C. Huber, Jesse Reeves, and Herbert Sadler -- undertook the selection of a president. After a thorough search, the Board of Regents chose Clarence Cook Little, then the President of the University of Maine. He accepted the appointment and took office in September 1925. When Little came to the University of Michigan, the regents agreed to let him bring two assistants and continue his laboratory research on the inheritance of cancer here. He was a excellent scholar and outspoken regarding his progressive educational views.

In his inaugural address, President Little made a number of specific proposals and set forth his innovative ideas on which they were based. These included the belief that only those students deemed able to make the best use of education should be admitted to universities, that students should be taught to think for themselves, and that more attention should be paid to the individual student and his needs. He also believed that the resources, equipment and staff of the university should be available to the whole state.

The major project undertaken during his administration was the University College, based on his belief that the first two years of basic general studies should be separated from the last two years of specialization. At the request of the regents, the University Senate created the Committee on Undergraduate Studies in January 1927. (Records of this committee can be found in record group: University of Michigan. University College.) Although their plan, when it was completed, met with general approval, the faculties of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the Engineering College both raised objections. Nevertheless, the regents authorized the appointment of an executive committee to prepare for the establishment of the new college to be opened in September 1929. Planning was suspended after President Little submitted his resignation in January 1929, and the program was never implemented.

In spite of the controversial nature of many of his proposals, President Little's administration was marked by several major accomplishments. These included Freshman Week, a period just before the fall term when incoming students were introduced to university life, and the Alumni University, designed to make the university an ongoing part of alumni life. Although it did not survive in its original form, it led to the establishment of the Bureau of Alumni Relations and the strengthening of ties between the university and its graduates. He also initiated the plan to house all students in university dormitories.

Although President Little's ideas had initially met with a favorable response, his forthright approach and a lack of skill in personal relations resulted in increased friction within the university. In addition, his outspoken views on birth control and eugenics alienated sectors of the public. Thus, when his letter of resignation was presented to the regents, it did not come as a complete surprise, and it was accepted to become effective September l, 1929.

From the guide to the Clarence Cook Little papers, 1924-1929, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Mehrtens, Susan E., 1945-,. Jackson Laboratory oral history collection, 1986. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Roy Dikeman Chapin Papers, 1886-1945, 1910-1936 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Braithwaite, William Stanley, 1878-1962. Papers, 1897-1930 Houghton Library
creatorOf Baird, Charles, 1870-1944. Charles Baird papers, 1892-1933. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Murfin, James O. (James Orin), 1875-1940. James Orin Murfin papers, 1896-1940. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Harvard University Archives Photograph Collection: Portraits, ca. 1852-ca. 2004 Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Lucius L. Hubbard papers, 1871-1935 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn James Bumgardner Murphy Papers, Circa 1918-1950 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Wendell family papers Houghton Library
creatorOf Beal, Junius E. (Junius Emery), 1860-1942. Junius Emery Beal papers, 1869-1946. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Sawyer, Walter H. (Walter Hulme), 1861-1931. Walter H. Sawyer papers, 1900-1931. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn New York Times Company records. Arthur Hays Sulzberger papers, 1823-1999 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Gannett, Lewis, 1891-1966. Papers, 1681-1966 (bulk 1900-1960) Houghton Library
referencedIn University of Michigan Faculty and Staff Portraits, ca. 1860-ca. 1960 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn The Nation, records, 1879-1974 (inclusive), 1920-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Alumni Association (University of Michigan), Individual Photographs, ca. 1880-ca. 1960s Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Amy Lowell correspondence, 1883-1927 (inclusive), 1910-1925 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Junius E. Beal Papers, 1869-1946 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Charles A. Sink Papers, 1890s-1996 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Robert Cooley Angell Papers, 1923-1971 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Earl C. Michener papers, 1898-1934 and 1940-1954, 1904-1934 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Shirley Wheeler Smith Papers, 1881-1959 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Alexander G. Ruthven Papers, 1901-1961, 1906-1951 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Arthur Lyon Cross Papers Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn James Orin Murfin papers, 1896-1940 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Wilgus, Horace L. (Horace La Fayette), 1859-1935. Horace LaFayette Wilgus papers, 1879-1935. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn W. B. Pillsbury papers, 1858-1960, 1890-1942 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Sink, Charles A. (Charles Albert), 1879-1972. Charles Albert Sink papers, 1907-1996. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Harry Burns Hutchins Papers, 1879-1930 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn President (University of Michigan) publications, 1909-2006 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Charles Baird Papers, 1892-1933 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Horace L. Wilgus Papers, 1878-1935 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Clarence Cook Little papers, 1924-1929 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Walter H. Sawyer papers, 1900-1931 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Hastings, Walter E., d. 1965. Walter E. Hastings papers, 1921-1962. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Robert Cooley Angell Papers, 1923-1971 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Little, Clarence C. (Clarence Cook), 1888-1971. Clarence Cook Little papers, 1924-1929. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Brown, Everett Somerville, 1886-1964. Everett S. Brown papers, 1923-1955. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Oswald Garrison Villard papers Houghton Library
creatorOf University of Virginia. Commencement address [manuscript] / by Dr. Clarence C. Little. And The baccalaureate sermon / by Bishop Noble C. Powell. 1952. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Jackson Laboratory Oral History Collection, 1986 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Little, Clarence C. (Clarence Cook), b. 1888. Papers 1910-1976. Raymond H. Fogler Library
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Winter, John Garrett, 1881-1956. John Garrett Winter papers, 1901-1951. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn University of Michigan. President. President (University of Michigan) publications, 1909-2006. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn William L. Clements papers, 1920-1933 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Fred Newton Scott papers, 1860-1931 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Claude Halstead Van Tyne papers Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Roscoe Pound Papers Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
creatorOf Clements, William L. (William Lawrence), 1861-1934. William Lawrence Clements papers, 1920-1933. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn John Reed papers, 1903-1967. Houghton Library
referencedIn John Garrett Winter papers, 1901-1954 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Coulter, Clinton H. Clinton H. Coulter interview, February 6, 1958. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Robert C. Cook papers, 1882-1992 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Jesse Siddall Reeves Papers, 1853-1942, 1901-1942 Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith America Asia Association. corporateBody
associatedWith American Association Favoring Reconsideration of the War Debts. corporateBody
associatedWith American Association for Adult Education. corporateBody
associatedWith American Birth Control League. corporateBody
associatedWith American Christian Fund for Jewish Relief. corporateBody
associatedWith American Council on Education. corporateBody
associatedWith American Eugenics Society. corporateBody
associatedWith American Peace Society. corporateBody
associatedWith American Social Hygiene Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Angell, Robert Cooley, 1899-1984. person
associatedWith Anti-saloon League of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Baird, Charles, 1870-1944. person
associatedWith Bates, Henry Moore, 1869-1949. person
associatedWith Beal, Junius Emery, 1860-1942. person
associatedWith Bishop, William Warner, 1871-1955. person
correspondedWith Braithwaite, William Stanley, 1878-1962 person
associatedWith Brown, Everett Somerville, 1886-1964. person
associatedWith Bureau of Social Hygiene (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Butterfield, Kenyon L. (Kenyon Leech), 1868-1935. person
associatedWith Chapin, Roy D. (Roy Dikeman), 1880-1936 person
associatedWith Clancy, Robert Henry, 1882-1962 person
associatedWith Clements, William L. (William Lawrence), 1861-1934. person
associatedWith Committee on Social Analysis of College Communities. corporateBody
correspondedWith Cook, Robert C. (Robert Carter), 1898-1991. person
associatedWith Cooley, Mortimer E. (Mortimer Elwyn), 1855-1944 person
associatedWith Copeland, Royal S. (Royal Samuel), 1868-1938 person
associatedWith Coulter, Clinton H. person
associatedWith Couzens, James, 1872-1936 person
associatedWith Cross, Arthur Lyon, 1873-1940 person
associatedWith Dana, Samuel Trask, 1883- person
associatedWith Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics corporateBody
associatedWith Davis, Dwight Filley, 1879-1945 person
associatedWith Day, Edmund Ezra, 1883-1951 person
associatedWith Effinger, John Robert, 1869-1933 person
associatedWith English Speaking Union. corporateBody
associatedWith Ferris, Woodbridge N., 1853-1928 person
associatedWith Ford, Edsel, 1893-1943 person
associatedWith Ford, Henry, 1863-1947 person
associatedWith Frost, Robert, 1874-1963 person
correspondedWith Gannett, Lewis, 1891-1966 person
associatedWith Green, Fred Warren, 1872-1936 person
associatedWith Groesbeck, Alexander J., 1873-1953 person
associatedWith Hastings, Walter E., d. 1965. person
associatedWith Hayden, Joseph Ralston, 1887-1945 person
associatedWith Hobbs, William Herbert, 1864-1952 person
associatedWith Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964 person
associatedWith Hubbard, Lucius L. (Lucius Lee), 1849-1933 person
associatedWith Hutchins, Harry B. (Harry Burns), 1847-1930 person
associatedWith Illinois Birth Control League. corporateBody
associatedWith Immigration Restriction League. corporateBody
associatedWith Institute of International Education (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me.) corporateBody
associatedWith Kellogg, Frank B. (Frank Billings), 1856-1937 person
associatedWith Life Conservation League. Dept. of Loyalty to Law. corporateBody
associatedWith Lloyd, Alfred H. (Alfred Henry), 1864-1927 person
associatedWith Lorch, Emil, 1870-1963 person
correspondedWith Lowell, Amy, 1874-1925 person
associatedWith Luce, Henry Robinson, 1898-1967 person
associatedWith Malthusian League for Human Welfare through Birth Control. corporateBody
associatedWith Mehrtens, Susan E., 1945-, person
associatedWith Michener, Earl C. (Earl Cory), 1876-1957 person
associatedWith Michigan Authors' Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Michigan Historical Collections corporateBody
associatedWith Mott, Charles Stewart, 1875-1973 person
associatedWith Murfin, James O. (James Orin), 1875-1940. person
associatedWith Murphy, James Bumgardner, 1884-1950 person
associatedWith Nation (New York, N.Y. : 1865). corporateBody
associatedWith Negro-Caucasian Club. corporateBody
associatedWith Negro National Educational Congress. corporateBody
associatedWith New York Times Company corporateBody
associatedWith Non-partisan Association for the League of Nations. corporateBody
associatedWith Osborn, Chase S. (Chase Salmon), b. 1860 person
associatedWith Pillsbury, W. B. (Walter Bowers), 1872-1960 person
associatedWith Pound, Roscoe, 1870-1964 person
correspondedWith Provine, William B. person
associatedWith Rackham, Horace H., 1858-1933 person
correspondedWith Reed, John, 1887-1920 person
associatedWith Reeves, Jesse Siddall, 1872- person
associatedWith Roscoe B. Jackson Memorial Laboratory. corporateBody
associatedWith Ruthven, Alexander Grant, 1882-1971 person
associatedWith Sawyer, Walter H. (Walter Hulme), 1861-1931. person
associatedWith Scott, Fred Newton, 1860-1931 person
associatedWith Sink, Charles A. (Charles Albert), 1879-1972. person
associatedWith Smith, Shirley Wheeler, 1875-1959 person
associatedWith Stimson, Henry Lewis, 1867-1950 person
associatedWith Sundwall, John, 1880-1950 person
associatedWith University of Maine at Orono. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Alumni Association. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. President. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. President. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. President. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Virginia. corporateBody
associatedWith Vandenberg, Arthur H. (Arthur Hendrick), 1884-1951 person
associatedWith Van Tyne, Claude Halstead, 1869-1930 person
correspondedWith Villard, Oswald Garrison, 1872-1949 person
associatedWith Ward, Marcus Llewellyn, 1875-1963 person
correspondedWith Wendell family. family
associatedWith Whitney, Allen Sisson, 1857-1944 person
associatedWith Wilgus, Horace L. (Horace La Fayette), 1859-1935. person
associatedWith Winter, John Garrett, 1881-1956. person
associatedWith World Alliance for International Friendship through the Churches. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Michigan
United States
Maine
Subject
Religion
Adult education
Education
Education
Aeronautics
African Americans
Authors, American
Authors
Biological laboratories
Biologists
Birth control
Cancer
College presidents
Universities and colleges
Drug abuse
Emigration and immigration
Eugenics
Genetics
Immigrants
Jews
Jews
Narcotics
Peace
Prohibition
Prohibition
Public health
Public health
Research laboratories
Temperance
Temperance
Tobacco industry
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1888-10-06

Death 1971-12-22

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