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Summary |
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| Creator: | Swinney, John B. |
| Title: | John B. Swinney Collection |
| Dates: | 1893-1989 |
| Size: | 2 boxes (1 linear foot) |
| Abstract: | The John B. Swinney Collection contains materials relevant to his life as a teacher and merchandising specialist. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
Biography
John Bayly Swinney was born in Lost Creek, West Virginia on November 5, 1879. In 1886, he and his family moved to DeRuyter, New York. Swinney moved through a teacher's training class throughout his initial schooling and, after graduation, began teaching in the area. He attended Cortland Normal School, starting in 1897, in order to prepare for college. He continued to teach in various counties over the next few years before attending Syracuse University in 1900 where he followed the classical course. The following year, however, his father became ill. He left Syracuse to return to DeRuyter, teaching and serving as principal at the Union School of Bridgewater. He soon reentered Syracuse University to resume his college education, continuing to teach when not occupied with his own school work. While at the University, he was a member of the Syracuse Chemical Club and the Syracuse Academy of Science, and he was an associate editor for the Daily Orange. Swinney graduated in 1904 with an applied baccalaureate degree.
After graduation, Swinney began teaching at the Griffith Institute in Springville, New York. In 1906, however, he had a change of careers and worked his way into sales with the help of his cousin, Robert Ogden. He soon became a traveling salesman for Longmans, Green, and Company, thus beginning his merchandising career. Swinney worked for a number of large companies throughout his life, working his way up to positions such as the managing director of Uptown Retail Guild and Specialty Stores Association. He wrote two books on merchandising, Merchandising, published in 1917, and Merchandising of Fashions, published in 1942. True to form, Swinney still taught throughout his career in sales, leading classes in marketing and retailing at institutions such as Tulane University, Columbia University, and New York University.
He died in Utica, New York on September 6, 1948.
Scope and Content Note
The John B. Swinney Collection is divided into two series.
The Personal Life series contains materials such as a short biography written by his son, Holman J. Swinney, a course time sheet from his time at Syracuse University, correspondence, photographs, and information on his marriage to his wife, Alice.
The Professional Life series contains materials related to his time as both an educator and a merchandising specialist, including his two published books, correspondence, information on his time at the Griffith Institute, resumes, and written articles.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
More information on John B. Swinney can be found in the clipping files at the Syracuse University Archives.
Selected Search Terms
Names
Subjects
Types of material
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
John B. Swinney Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Materials in this collection were donated to the Syracuse University Archives by Holman J. Swinney in 1989.
Processing Information
Materials are housed in acid-free folders and boxes.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Erin Carter
Date: 2015
Revision history: