Overview
John Horace Parry (1914-1982) was Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard from 1965 to 1982. Parry studied maritime history and European imperialism in Latin America. Prior to his appointment at Harvard, Parry held positions at Clare College, University of Cambridge; University College of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica; University College in Ibadan, Nigeria; University College of Swansea; and University of Wales. The Papers of John Horace Parry document Parry’s research, publishing, and teaching activities from 1951 to 1982, with the bulk of material dating from 1965 to 1982, when Parry taught at Harvard. Much of the collection pertains to Parry's research, publishing, and lectures.
Dates
- Creation: 1951 - 1982
Creator
Researcher Access
Open for research with the following exceptions: Harvard University records are restricted for 50 years. Personnel and student records are closed for 80 years. Specific restrictions are noted at the series level. Requires review by archivist.
Extent
3.86 cubic feet (7 document boxes, 5 half document boxes, 2 legal half document boxes, 1 pamphlet folder, and 1 accordion folder)The Papers of John Horace Parry document Parry’s research, publishing, and teaching activities from 1951 to 1982, with the bulk of material dating from 1965 to 1982, when Parry taught at Harvard.
As Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard, Parry devoted his time to contemporary scholarship in the field of the history of trade and exploration as well as to his students, focusing primarily on teaching, researching, and writing rather than on administrative duties. The collection highlights Parry's research, publishing, and lecturing activities. Correspondence, particularly with publishers, shows Parry’s active interest in publishing and his involvement in current literature in his fields – writing books, articles, and book reviews. In addition, the various projects he undertook and the committees on which he served, as represented in this collection, document the scope of his interests and expertise including European expansionism and its impact on areas affected by European imperialism, particularly Latin America, Africa, and the West Indies. Professional papers include correspondence with publishers, colleagues, and professional organizations. Contracts, manuscripts of books and articles, research notes, and book reviews chronicle his publishing activities.
Parry’s professional duties also included numerous lecture engagements which took him to places such as Bogotá, Colombia; Melbourne, Australia; Easter Island, and to various Harvard Clubs around the United States, including Sarasota, Tampa, and French Lick. The number of letters requesting Parry to speak demonstrate his popularity as a public speaker. Correspondence, notes, and manuscripts, including for speeches and papers presented at University College in Ibadan, Nigeria, University College of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, and University College of Swansea in Wales document his extensive lecture schedule.
Harvard papers include teaching and administrative records. Teaching
records consists of course reading lists, examinations, student papers, and correspondence, including letters of recommendation Parry wrote for students and colleagues. Committee minutes and correspondence document his Harvard administrative activities.
The collection also contains personal materials such as correspondence with Parry’s children and friends and financial records.
Biographical Note on John Horace Parry
John Horace Parry was Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard from 1965 to 1982. Parry was born in Handsworth, England on April 26, 1914 to Walter Austin and Ethel (Piddock) Parry. He received an M.A. and Ph.D. from Clare College, University of Cambridge in 1938. During his doctoral studies, he studied at Harvard in 1936-1937 as a Henry Fellow. Parry served in the Royal Navy from 1940 to 1945, where he became a lieutenant commander. Parry was married to Joyce (Carter) and had four children.
Parry was tutor, senior proctor, and lecturer in history from 1946 to 1949 at Clare College, Cambridge. From 1949-1956, he was professor of modern history at University College of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica (now University of the West Indies). He returned to Harvard as a visiting professor of history in 1954-1955. At University College in Ibadan, Nigeria (now University of Ibadan), Parry was principal from 1956-1960 during the last years of British rule. He returned to Britain in 1960, where he became principal at the University College of Swansea (now Swansea University) in Wales from 1960-1965 and vice-chancellor at the University of Wales in Cardiff from 1963-1965. Parry was Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard from 1965 to 1982. During his appointment at Harvard, Parry focused primarily on writing and teaching rather than administrative duties and was known as "Commodore Parry." Parry taught courses on European expansion and trade from the 15th to the 18th centuries, as well as graduate seminars and extension school seminars.
Parry studied maritime history and European imperialism, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and the West Indies. He authored numerous books as well as articles and book reviews in professional journals. He also contributed to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Oxford series on economic history, and various other reference works. At the time of his death, Parry was working on a book with R. G. Keith entitled New Iberian World, a translation of primary source material documenting the history of the European discovery and settlement of Latin America in the early 17th century, which was subsequently published in 1984.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in twelve series. The collection follows the arrangement of call numbers given to series upon receipt at the Harvard University Archives.
- General correspondence, 1965-1982 (HUGFP 49.8)
- General correspondence, 1962-1982 (HUGFP 49.10)
- Letters of recommendation, 1965-1982 (HUGFP 49.15)
- Miscellaneous correspondence and other items, 1960-1979 (HUGFP 49.18)
- Publisher correspondence, 1958-1981 (HUGFP 49.20)
- Harvard committees and other professional activities, 1967-1982 (HUGFP 49.25)
- Papers relating to publication projects, 1959-1974 (HUGFP 49.42)
- Research notes, 1955-1970 (HUGFP 49.45)
- Teaching materials, 1965-1981 (HUGFP 49.65)
- Lectures and unpublished papers, 1973-1980 (HUGFP 49.75)
- Lectures and manuscripts, 1951-1982
- Untitled manuscript (HUGFP 49.77)
Acquisition
Received in three accessions. Specific acquisition information is noted at the series level.
- Gift of Mrs. John H. Parry [Joyce Parry], received 1983-01-05; accession 9631.
- Transferred from the Widener Gifts and Exchange Department (from Parry's Widener study), received 1984-03-01; accession 9989.
- Transferred from the Latin American and Iberian Studies Department, received 1984-04-03; accession 10015.
Inventory Update
This document last updated 2022 April 27.
Processing Information
The finding aid was created by Erin Clauss in January 2022. Information in this finding aid was assembled from legacy inventories and container management data. Titles are transcribed from legacy inventories. The collection was not re-examined.
Creator
- Title
- Parry, J. H. (John Horace), 1914-1982. Papers of John Horace Parry, 1951-1982 : an inventory
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- eng
- EAD ID
- hua01022
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461
archives_reference@harvard.edu