Summary |
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| Creator: | Hopkins, Thomas Cramer. |
| Title: | Thomas Cramer Hopkins Papers |
| Dates: | 1887-1931 |
| Size: | 9 boxes, 1 wrapped package (6 linear feet) |
| Abstract: | The Thomas Cramer Hopkins Papers contain material from his academic and professional careers, including the years he was a professor of geology at Syracuse University. |
| 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
Thomas Cramer Hopkins was born on May 4, 1861 in Warrior's Mark, Pennsylvania. He attended Dickinson Seminary in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and later entered DePauw University, combining his studies with his passion for the outdoors to focus on geology. Hopkins received his Bachelor of Science in 1887 and a master's degree in 1890 from DePauw. He continued on to Leland Stanford University to earn his Master of Arts in 1892 and his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1900. In 1923, Colgate University awarded Hopkins an honorary degree of Doctor of Science.
Hopkins started his professional career working as an assistant geologist for the Arkansas and Indiana Geological Surveys, during which he wrote numerous scientific articles, many focused on the geological features of the areas he worked. He was an instructor of chemistry at DePauw University in 1888 and 1889 and a professor of geology in Pennsylvania State College from 1896 to 1898. Hopkins came to Syracuse University in 1900 as a professor and head of the Geology Department, a role he held until his retirement in 1931.
Even with his responsibilities to Syracuse University, Hopkins continued to publish scientific and scholarly work, including a secondary school textbook, Elements of Physical Geography (1908) and its companion text, A Laboratory Manual on Physical Geography (1909). Another geological work, Geology of the Syracuse Quadrangle (1914), has become a classic work for those who wish to study the Central New York area.
Hopkins resigned his position in 1931 due to failing health, from which he never fully recovered, and died on April 3, 1935.
Scope and Content Note
The Thomas Cramer Hopkins Papers contain materials from 1887 to 1931 covering his academic career. The collection is divided into five series.
The Correspondence series is composed mostly of professional letters concerning his research to and from various individuals, geological associations, and universities.
The Coursework series is comprised of Hopkins' personal notebooks from the classes that he attended at the University of Chicago. There are also some material from his time as a professor at Syracuse University.
The Newspaper Articles series is a variety of newspaper clippings kept by Hopkins, the majority having to deal with geological topics. A number of articles were either written by or about Hopkins, and others are just of personal interest.
The Research series spans Hopkins' professional career in the geological field. There is material pertaining to the Syracuse, New York area, including a geological map and agricultural questionnaires of the outlying areas of the city. His geological survey notebooks detail his work with in-depth descriptions of the land, mines and companies of various areas.
The Writings series contains his drafts of numerous papers and notes on the geological aspects of different countries. There are also copies of geological publications by Hopkins, including a popular secondary school textbook, Elements of Physical Geography (1908).
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 University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries and all relevant rights holders
before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this
collection.
Related Material
The Archives holds a clipping file and portrait file on Thomas Cramer Hopkins. The Archives' Lantern Slide Collection also has slides with geological subjects that may have been created by Hopkins and used in some of his lectures.
Selected Search Terms
Names
Subjects
Types of material
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Thomas Cramer Hopkins Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Records show that some of the Hopkins Papers were given to the University before the Archives were created. Additional material was transferred to the Archives from the Syracuse University Library in 1978.
Processing Information
Materials were rehoused in acid-free folders and boxes.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Matthew Isom
Date: 2014
Revision history: 2016 - Additional correspondence added to collection (AES)