Archival Material Or Collection
Date: n.d.
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Abstract/Notes: Edwin Mortimer Standing (1887-1967) was the primary compiler of this collection that became the basis for the Montessori Teacher Training Program at Seattle University from 1968 to 1986. William J. Codd, SJ was the first director of the program.
The collection contains correspondence, lecture notes, manuscripts, essays, speech texts, photographs, files, clippings, ephemera, sound recordings and publications. Materials document the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori as seen through the writings and correspondence of E.M. Standing and reflect the growing interest in Maria Montessori's teachings and pedagogy from Europe and South Asia to the United States in the 1920s. Also documented is the historical development and establishment of Montessori-based schools and teacher training programs in Seattle, WA and the greater Pacific Northwest and western United States. The collection includes early administrative records and correspondence pertaining to the formation of Seattle University's Montessori Teacher Training Program. The bulk of the materials in this collection are from circa 1939 to 1970. The collection is primarily in English, with some material in Italian, French, Spanish, and Latin. The folder numbering sequence shown in the finding aid is not reproduced on the folders themselves.
Series I: Correspondence - Includes incoming and outgoing general and subject correspondence primarily between Edwin Mortimer Standing (circa 1919-1967) and William J. Codd, S.J. (circa 1958-1980) and encompassing a wide variety of friends and associates. Correspondents include Mario Montessori (Maria's son), A.M. Joosten, Phyllis Wallbank, and Lady Carmen Bazely. Other correspondence relates to issues involving publishing royalty, reprint and citations between E.M. Standing, Fr. Codd (Standing’s literary executor) and various publishers. A portion of corrrespondence is between Mr. Standing and Donald Demarest, Academy Guild Press publisher (circa 1959-1962). The correspondence within this series is arranged chronologically by year.
Series II: Literary Productions - Includes notes, drafts, essays, plays, poems and manuscripts primarily written by Standing. The series contains manuscript drafts of various religious and educational essays and draft chapters from two of Standing’s books, The Montessori Method and The Child in The Church. Also included within this series is Indian Twilight which is an unpublished 4-volume chronicle of Standing’s years as a Montessori tutor for the Saharabai family in India (circa 1920-1925). Included are reprints of Standing’s letters documenting his experiences, photographs of the people and architecture of India before its independence from England; and brief references to conversations with Mahatma Gandhi who was a close friend and neighbor of the Saharabai family. The items within this series are arranged by sub-series, by author and in chronological order.
Series III: Lecture Transcripts - Includes transcripts of speeches given by Maria Montessori in London prior to World War Two. Documents are in Italian and English and are arranged chronologically as well as by lecturer.
Series IV: Subject Files - Includes transcripts of speeches given by Maria Montessori in London prior to World War Two. Documents are in Italian and English and are arranged chronologically as well as by lecturer.
Series V: Legal and Financial Documents - Documents within this series include publisher contracts, royalty statements, insurance policies, Standing’s will and passport
Series VI: Datebooks and Address Books;
Series VII: Article and Clipping Files - Includes copies of published articles written by Standing, Fr. Codd and their associates as well as news clippings of interest to Standing and Fr. Codd.
Series VIII: Photographic Material - This series includes black and white original photographs of Maria Montessori and classroom activity in early Montessori schools. Also included in this series are early glass plate negatives depicting Montessori school scenes. The bulk of the materials within this series are uncredited and undated.
Series IX: Religious, Instructional and General Ephemera;
Series X: Sound Recordings;
Series XI: Educational Pamphlets and Monographic Materials
Language:
English, French, Italian, Latin, Spanish
Extent: 19.5 linear feet, (18 boxes and 1 oversized box)
Archive: Seattle University, Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, Special Collections (Seattle, Washington)