Guide to the Stuart McGuire Noblin Papers, 1857-1977

Collection Number MC 00051

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Collection Information
Abstract:

This collection contains the professional papers of Stuart McGuire Noblin, including those related to his professorship at North Carolina State University, and on topics of his research, including farmers' movements, the National Grange, and the role of churches in constructive race relations. Also contained in this collection are Noblin's personal papers from his involvement in the North Carolina Chess Association.

Stuart Noblin was a professor in the Departments of History and Political Science at North Carolina State University from 1947 to 1976. He also served as part-time University Archivist from 1957 to 1964, as well as chairman of the Committee on the History of the College, and was a member of the Faculty Senate from 1957 to 1961. Noblin was also active in the North Carolina Chess Association.

Contact Information:
Special Collections Research Center
NCSU Libraries
Campus Box 7111
Raleigh, North Carolina
27695-7111 USA
Phone: (919) 515-2273
Fax: (919) 513-1787
URL: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections/
Web Contact Form
Processed by
Michael Watts, 2005 May
Encoded by
Michael Watts, 2005 May; Updated by Cate Putirskis, February 2008

Descriptive Summary

Repository

North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center

Creator

Noblin, Stuart McGuire, 1913-1977

Title

Stuart Mcguire Noblin Papers, 1857-1977

Call Number

MC 00051

Extent

4.5 linear feet, 6 archival boxes, 1 legal sized archival box

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Language of Material

English

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Material donated by Evelyn Blanchard Noblin in 1978 (Accession no. 1978-0003).
Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Stuart McGuire Noblin Papers, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Copyright Notice

The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Processing Information

Processed by Michael Watts, 2005 May

Encoded by Michael Watts, 2005 May; Updated by Cate Putirskis, February 2008

Biographical Note


Stuart McGuire Noblin was born in Radford, Virginia, in 1913. He received his bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, majoring in history, and graduating in 1933. He taught junior high school for a brief period in Durham, North Carolina, and then pursued graduate work in history at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He was awarded a Masters of Arts degree in 1935 and a PhD in 1947. While working on the PhD, Noblin taught history at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, and at Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia. Noblin came to Raleigh in 1947 and began work as an assistant professor at North Carolina State College. In 1951, he became an associate professor, and in 1957, a full professor.

Noblin was an authority on the history of the National Grange and American agricultural movements. He authored numerous articles and three books on the subject. These include The Grange in North Carolina 1929 -1954: A Story In Agricultural Progress and Codification of Grange Policy. His most important work is a full length biography of the nationally known farm leader Colonel Leonidas La Fayette Polk, titled Leonidas Layfayette Polk: Agrarian Crusader. This is an account of the man who was North Carolina's first Commissioner of Agriculture, a leader in the establishment of North Carolina State University, and founder of the monthly farm publication, The Progressive Farmer.

As an educator and historian at North Carolina State University, Noblin served as an advisor to the Student Publications Board. He was also active in the American Historical Association, the Southern Historical Association, the Historical Society of North Carolina, the American Association of University Professors, the State Grange, the Raleigh Torch Club, Organization of American Historians, the History of Education Society, and the Wake Historical Society.

Noblin was a leader in Raleigh's Institute of Religion. He studied churches in the South and was active in the movement for the peaceful desegregation of Raleigh. His work in the area led to the publication of a case study on the United Church of Raleigh through the Southern Historical Association in Washington, D.C. As a member of the United Church of Christ in Raleigh, Noblin served as the chairman of the church's Board of Deacons. He was also the church historian.

An expert chess player, Noblin labored diligently to promote the game in North Carolina, and worked cooperatively with chess associations at the national level to stage tournaments and exhibitions for the benefit of local chess enthusiasts. Noblin was the treasurer for the North Carolina Chess Association for two decades, and was the organization's president from 1961 to 1964.

Stuart Noblin was married to Evelyn Blanchard Noblin. His wife worked as a librarian in North Carolina State University's D. H. Hill Library. The couple shared a love of literature and history. Stuart McGuire Noblin died on January 10, 1977, at the age of sixty-three.

Scope and Content Note


This collection contains book manuscripts, scholarly writings, Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowship applications, speeches, encyclopedia articles, and correspondence generated by Stuart McGuire Noblin during his tenure as a professor of history at North Carolina State University. In addition to papers that were written by Professor Noblin, there are journal articles, reviews, and papers written by his colleagues. There are also a few photographs and a number of alumni publications, as well as course outlines, syllabi, reading lists, exams, class rolls, grade rolls, research and oral report topics, student exams, and term papers from Noblin's classes. Also included are material documenting Noblin's work for the Raleigh Institute of Religion and the United Church of Christ regarding race relations in Raleigh, and papers related to Noblin's participation in the North Carolina Chess Association (NCCA).

Organization of the Collection


This collection is organized into two series. The first series, Professional, is further divided into nine subseries: Writings, Letters Received, Book Reviews, Applications, Research Files, Colleagues' Papers, Photographs, Newsletters, and Mementos. The second series, North Carolina Chess Assoication, is divided into two subseries: Correspondence and Administrative Information.

Online Catalog Terms

Personal Names

  • Noblin, Stuart, 1913-1977.
  • Poe, Clarence Hamiliton, 1881- .
  • Polk, L. L. (Leonidas La Fayette), 1837-1892.

Corporate Names

  • American Farm Bureau Federation
  • National Farmers' Union (U.S.)
  • National Grange
  • North Carolina Chess Association.
  • North Carolina Farmers' Alliance
  • North Carolina State University. Dept. of History.
  • North Carolina State University--Faculty--History.
  • Raleigh Institute of Religion (Raleigh, N.C.).
  • United Church of Christ--North Carolina--Raleigh--History.

Subjects

  • Chess.
  • Farmers--United States--Political activity.
  • Historians--North Carolina.
  • History--Study and teaching (Higher)--North Carolina.
  • Race relations--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Detailed Description of the Collection


  • Series 1: Professional, 1857 - 1977


    1.5 linear feet, 3 archival boxes

    This series contains items related to Noblin's work in the Departments of History and Political Science at NC State. Materials are arranged chronologically within each subseries.

    • Writings
      • M.A. Thesis, 1935 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 1]
      • "North Carolina Grange" typescript, 1954 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 2]
      • "The Grange of North Carolina: A Story of Agricultural Progress, 1929 - 1954", 1954 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 3]
      • "Gleanings From a College Archive", 1960 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 4]
      • "Codification of Grange Policy", 1961 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 5]
      • "A Voice of Agriculture: Recent Policies of the National Grange", 1962 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 6]
      • Encyclopedia Articles, 1968 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 7]
      • "The United Church of Raleigh: A Case Study", 1969 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 8]
      • "The American Experiment", 1976 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 9]
      • Sketch from "Representative Men of the South," by Leonidas L. Polk, undated [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 10]
    • Correspondence Received
      • 1952 - 1962 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 11]
      • 1962 - 1965 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 12]
      • 1966 - 1969 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 13]
      • 1970 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 14]
      • 1971 - 1973 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 15]
      • 1974 - 1975 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 16]
      • 1976 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 17]
    • Book Reviews
      • North Carolina Historical Review: "Leonidas Polk", Apr. 1943 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 18]
      • North Carolina Historical Review: "Leonidas Polk", Jul. 1943 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 19]
    • Applications
      • Fulbright Application, 1951 [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 20]
      • Guggenheim Fellowship, undated [MC 00051 Box 1, Folder 21]
    • Research Files
      • Address and Newspaper Article on Leonidas Polk by Clarence Poe, 1937 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 1]
      • "Topical Studies and References on the Farmer's Movement in the United States, 1650 - 1946", 1946 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 2]
      • Agricultural Course Descriptions (by state), 1948 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 3]
      • "John Simpson: The Southwest's Militant Farm Leader," by Gilbert C. Fite, 1949 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 4]
      • Miscellaneous Grange Research Material, 1954 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 5]
      • National Grange Pamphlets, 1955 - 1964 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 6]
      • American Historical Association 82nd Annual Meeting: Program, 1967 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 7]
      • American Historical Association 82nd Annual Meeting: "A Grange Rennaissance: Comments on the Papers of Professor Thomas Nordin", 1967 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 8]
      • "Preliminary List of References for the History of the Granger Movement," University of California, Davis, 1967 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 9]
      • "North Carolina State Grange: Patrons of Husbandry," Journal of Proceedings, 1974 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 10]
      • "The National Grange: Legislative Policies", 1975 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 11]
    • History Course Files and Student Research
      • Course Materials, 1947 - 1973 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 12]
      • History 121, 122: Political and Diplomatic Aspects of American History, 1950 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 13]
      • History 205: The Modern Western World, 1954 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 14]
      • Summary of Regular Teaching Responsibilities, 1955 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 15]
      • History 312: Economic and Social History of the South, 1955 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 16]
      • History 244-009: The U.S. Since 1914, Spring 1974 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 17]
      • History 244-011: The U.S. Since 1914, Spring 1974 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 18]
      • History 548E: American Response to Industrialism, Spring 1974 [MC 00051 Box 2, Folder 19]
      • History 244: The U.S. Since 1914, Fall 1974 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 1]
      • History 244-006: The U.S. Since 1914, Fall 1974 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 2]
      • History 491-001: Seminar in History, Fall 1974 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 3]
      • History 244-003: The U.S. Since 1914, Spring 1975 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 4]
      • History 464: North Carolina Since 1860, Spring 1975 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 5]
      • American Response to Industrialism, Spring 1975 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 6]
      • History 244-005: The U.S. Since 1914, Fall 1975 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 7]
      • History 244-008: The U.S. Since 1914, Fall 1975 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 8]
      • Populism and Progress, Fall 1975 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 9]
      • History 244-003: The U.S. Since 1914, Spring 1976 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 10]
      • History 244-004: The U.S. Since 1914, Spring 1976 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 11]
      • Social Studies 392, 393: Contemporary Social Problems, undated [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 12]
      • Student Research Paper: Via, James, 1962 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 13]
      • Student Research Paper: Boney, William Jr., 1972 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 14]
      • Student Research Paper: Franks, Mona, 1972 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 15]
      • Student Research Paper: Melton, Carroll, 1972 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 16]
      • Student Research Paper: Ott, Leslie, 1972 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 17]
      • Student Research Paper: Lawber, Harold, 1973 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 18]
    • Journal Articles, Reviews, Papers (Colleagues)
      • 1938 - 1954 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 19]
      • 1955 - 1964 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 20]
      • 1971 - 1974 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 21]
      • 1976, undated [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 22]
    • Photographs
      • Leonidas Polk Illustrations, Chess Club Photos, 1857 - 1972 [MC 00051 Box 3, Folder 23]
    • Newsletters and Mementos
      • Mementos: Charleston, S.C., 1940 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 1]
      • Historical Chart of Mankind, 1950 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 2]
      • Democratic Digest, Johns Hopkins Magazine, 1961, 1970 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 3]
      • Newsletters, News Clippings, and Brochures, 1963 - 1970 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 4]
      • Department of History Sign, Travel Forms, undated [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 5]
      • North Carolina Postcards, undated [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 6]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 2: North Carolina Chess Association, 1951 - 1971


    3 linear feet, 3 archival boxes, 1 legal sized archival box

    This series contains the correspondence and other administrative information collected by Noblin while he was a member of the North Carolina Chess Associtaion. Materials are arranged chronologically within each subseries.

    • Correspondence
      • 1951 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 7]
      • 1952 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 8]
      • 1953 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 9]
      • 1954 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 10]
      • 1955 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 11]
      • Jan.-Apr. 1956 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 12]
      • May-Dec. 1956 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 13]
      • Jan.-Jun. 1957 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 14]
      • Jul.-Dec. 1957 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 15]
      • Jan.-Jul. 1958 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 16]
      • Aug.-Dec. 1958 [MC 00051 Box 4, Folder 17]
      • Jan.-Jun. 1959 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 1]
      • Jul.-Dec. 1959 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 2]
      • Jan.-May 1960 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 3]
      • Jun.-Aug. 1960 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 4]
      • Sep.-Dec. 1960 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 5]
      • Jan.-Apr. 1961 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 6]
      • May-Dec. 1961 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 7]
      • 1962 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 8]
      • Jan.-May 1963 [MC 00051 Box 5, Folder 9]
      • 1964 [MC 00051 Box 6, Folder 1]
      • 1965-1971 [MC 00051 Box 6, Folder 2]
      • undated [MC 00051 Box 6, Folder 3]
    • Administrative Information
      • Constitution, Bylaws, Tournament Rules, 1951-1973 [MC 00051 Box 6, Folder 4]
      • Membership, 1951-1961 [MC 00051 Box 6, Folder 5]
      • Treasury, 1951-1960 [MC 00051 Box 6, Folder 6]
      • Tournament Participation, 1951-1962 [MC 00051 Box 6, Folder 7]
      • Publications, Pamphlets, News Articles, 1955-1961 [MC 00051 Box 6, Folder 8]
      • "The Carolina Gambit", 1960-1961 [MC 0051 Legal Box 7, Folder 1]
      • "The Carolina Gambit", 1962-1963 [MC 0051 Legal Box 7, Folder 2]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]