Linda J. Nicholson papers , 1999-2010

(bulk )

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2022

Collection Overview

Title:	Linda J. Nicholson papers
Date range:	1999-2010
Creator:	Feminist Theory Archive.
Extent:	2 Linear Feet
Abstract:	This collection contains materials from Linda Nicholson's professional career, focusing mostly on work for her book Identity Before Identity Politics and her activities as a professor at Washington University in St. Louis. The documents date from 1999-2010 and include drafts of book chapters and files relating to the administration of the Women's and Gender Studies program at Washington University.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.2010.042

Scope & content

This collection consists predominantly of professional documents generated by Linda Nicholson in her position as the Susan E. and William P. Stiritz Distinguished Professor of Women's Studies and Director of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program at Washington University in St. Louis. Included are course syllabi, lecture notes, and documents associated with the administration of the program, such as mission statements, activity reports, applications for funding, and materials related to internships and colloquia.

The collection also contains materials related to Nicholson's work as a writer and editor, including drafts of her book Identity Before Identity Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2008) and critical responses to Play of Reason: From the Modern to the Postmodern (Cornell University Press, 1999).

Access Points

Subject Topics

• Feminism -- United States -- History
• Feminist theory
• Group identity -- United States -- History

Arrangement

• This collection's original folder structure was maintained. Individual document files were then arranged by subject and chronologically.
• Series 1. Materials from Floppy Disk
• Series 2. Materials from Hard Drive
• Sub-Series 1. Talks
• Sub-Series 2. Identity
• Sub-Series 3. Manuscripts
• Sub-Series 4. Presentations
• Sub-Series 5. Public
• Sub-Series 6. Teaching
• Sub-Series 7. Women's Studies
• Sub-Series 8. Miscellaneous

Biographical / Historical

Linda J. Nicholson began her academic career at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her B.A. in Philosophy in 1968. Interested in applying her skills toward social and political questions, she pursued her graduate work at Brandeis University, completing a Masters in the History of Ideas in 1970 and a Ph.D. in 1975.

During her doctoral studies, Nicholson taught at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, the University of Lancaster in England, and SUNY-Albany. As an assistant professor at SUNY-Albany in the 1970s, she was asked to teach a course for the burgeoning Women's Studies program, the work for which inspired her first book, Gender and History: The Limits of Social Theory in the Age of Family (Columbia University Press, 1986). At Albany, Nicholson became Professor of Education Administration and Policy Studies, Women's Studies, and Political Science and finished her second book, Play of Reason: From the Modern to the Postmodern (Cornell University Press, 1999).

In 2000, Nicholson joined the faculty at Washington University in St. Louis as Professor of History and the Susan E. and William P. Stiritz Distinguished Professor of Women's Studies. She directed the Women and Gender Studies Program from 2001 to 2006.

Nicholson teaches courses in feminist thought and concepts of identity. In addition to her published monographs, she has edited the book series Thinking Gender for Routledge and several collections, including Feminism/Postmodernism (Routledge, 1989) and Social Postmodernism (Cambridge University Press, 1995). She has received fellowships from the Divinity School of Harvard University, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Rockefeller Foundation, among others.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access for non-digital materials, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested. Advance notice is required to view born-digital records. Born-digital materials in this collection have not been reformatted yet. Researchers may request access to copies by contacting the John Hay Library with the collection name, collection number, and a description of the item(s) requested. Access to original physical digital media is restricted.
Use of the materials:	All researchers seeking to publish materials from the collections of the John Hay Library are requested to complete a Notice of Intent to Publish, prior to reproducing, quoting, or otherwise publishing any portion or extract from this collection. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Alternate form:	Existence and Location of CopiesThe originals in this collection are stored on one 3.5 inch computer floppy disk and one external computer hard drive. All the documents, with the exception of four, were printed to create access copies for researchers. The following document files could not be opened and printed: Wasc 8/08.doc, Lindaa.FST, MKimmelvita.mim, MKimmelvita.doc.
Preferred citation:	Linda J. Nicholson papers, Ms. 2010.042, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Processing information:	Astrid Drew.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Astrid Drew.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-10-21.
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Additional Information

Location/Existence of copies:

Existence and Location of Copies The originals in this collection are stored on one 3.5 inch computer floppy disk and one external computer hard drive. All the documents, with the exception of four, were printed to create access copies for researchers. The following document files could not be opened and printed: Wasc 8/08.doc, Lindaa.FST, MKimmelvita.mim, MKimmelvita.doc.

Inventory

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