John Clark Ridpath, 1840-1900
DePauw University Class of 1863
DC 37
Archives of DePauw University
and Indiana United Methodism
John Clark Ridpath Papers
1840-1900
Class of 1863
Size: 0.40 lf
Restrictions: none
Accession: none or unknown
Provenance: donor
Processed by: J.J.Y., 12-2-66
John Clark Ridpath, educator, writer of popular historical works, was born on a farm in Putnam County, Ind., to which his parents, Abraham and Sally (Matthews) Ridpath, had moved from Virginia. At nineteen he entered Indiana Asbury University in Greencastle, Indiana and he graduated in 1863. In 1866 he was called to Lawenceburg as superintendent of school and served there until 1869. He then accepted a call to his alma mater as professor of English literature and normal instruction. Here he quickly achieved recognition as a gifted and inspiring teacher. In 1871 his title was changed to professor of belles-lettres and history and in 1879 he became vice-president of the university. His intellectual interests during these years turned increasingly to history, and in 1882 he became professor of history, and political philosophy. He retained this chair until his resignation from the university in 1885.
Collection Statement
This collection consists of biographical sketch's, articles, letters to and from John Ridpath, and clippings. In the back of the document case there is a 1861 Ridpath diary and copy belonging to the archives.
DC 37
folder 1 Photographs and Sketches of John Clark Ridpath
2 John Clark Ridpath Biographical Sketches: "John Clark Ridpath," by Woodson Taylor, 1894 "Grandfather Ridpath and His Friends," by Jeanne Chattin
Biographical Sketches of several Ridpath family members
Biographical Sketch from Dictionary of American Biography, vol. 15
3 Articles by John Clark Ridpath
"Our Best Literature-Is It Read?"
"To the Memory of a Workingman-Abraham Ridpath"
1897 Letter to Editor of Boone Standard about Ridpath's grandfather, John
4 Greencastle Daily Sun article containing an address by Ridpath, May 2, 1899
5 University Reports 1878, 1884-1885
6 Letters to John Clark Ridpath
7 Letters from John Clark Ridpath
8 "The Arena," September & October 1897, edited by John Clark Ridpath
9 "Beginnings of Kappa Alpha Theta" by John Clark Ridpath
10 Clippings
11 Miscellaneous
Poems
Semi-Centennial Reception
Dedication of Memorial to John Clark Ridpath and Jesse Weik
12 John Clark Ridpath Memorial Services
13 Advertisement for Ridpath's History
14 Article about John Clark Ridpath by Dr. Clifton J. Phillips
15 Gillum Ridpath: Letter from Tom Ridpath, November 14, 1996
16 John Clark Ridpath 1861 Diary (copy)
(Original copy of 1861 Diary also included in back of Document Case.)
Notes on John Clark Ridpath
Ridpath helped Bettie Locke write the constitution and initiation ritual of Kappa Alpha Theta. See manuscript by Mrs. Neiswanger.
Ridpath wrote the preamble and by-laws of the first women's club in Indiana. The club, Women's Literary Club, was organized in Mansfield Hall. See Mrs. O.H. Smith.
See Also:
Alumni file for Hood, William, class of 1881. Letters from Ridpath.
Alumni file for Howard, Liliane, class of 1894. Letters from Ridpath.
Alumni file for Redding, T.B., class of 1854. Letters from Ridpath.
Alumnus, December 1957. Article "John Clark Ridpath, DePauw Teacher and Historian," by Clifton J. Phillips.
Bamberger, J.A. Preserving Our Heritage: Famous Greencastle Citizens. Contained in a yellow notebook, dated 1971.
Bushnell scrapbook, DePauw Volume #319, page 228. Lecture series programs.
DePauw University Catalogue, 1869-1870.
Diary of T.B. Wood, vol. 1, pg. 4-5, DC 525. "Journal of Walking Trip, 1862."
Gobin Scrapbook, DC 65. Poem entitled "Apples," by John Clark Ridpath. Originally read before the Freshman class, March 25, 1870.
Greencastle Banner& Times Supplement, April 30, 1891. 50th Anniversary Celebration Prose and Poetry.
Microfilm #128. Two volumes of letters, poems and pictures given to Ridpath on his fiftieth birthday at a celebration in Meharry Hall. (Loaned to Archives for microfilming by Ridpath's granddaughter, Mrs. Edward F. Smith.)
Microfilm #138. Miscellaneous letters and other items.
Microfilm #221. Joint Board of Trustees for miscellaneous letters, 1870s-1880s.
Phillips, Clifton J., DC 11. Information about Ridpath and letter from Wilbur Kurtz dated October 3, 1959.
Ridpath Family Photograph. DC 2049, #33.
Ridpath, John Clark. History of the United States, Prepared Especially for Schools. DPU Library Catalog E178.1.R26 1880. Located in Archives stacks.
Ridpath, John Clark. Footprints of the World's History. DPU Library Catalog D24.B79 1891. Located in Archives stacks.
Ridpath, John Clark Photograph. DC 2039, #22.
Walker, Guy Morrison, DC 487, folder 24. Copy of original manuscript of "The Relation of Wealth to Knowledge," by John Clark Ridpath, 1868.