Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Correspondence (1912-1968; 26 linear ft.) is the largest series in the collection. The files are broken down into broad chronological subseries though there is frequent overlapping of dates depending upon whether an older file was carried over into a subsequent subseries because still of current use to Pollock or filing error. The researcher should consult the card index of Pollock correspondents if interested in a specific individual or organization. Also to be noted, this series includes more than correspondence. Depending upon the file heading, there could be reports, memoranda, and other kinds of documents. Correspondents include other political scientists, state government administrators, politicians, national figures, journalists, and those with whom he worked while stationed in Germany.

Correspondence (3 linear feet) is arranged chronologically (except for a scattering of special topic files) and covers the years 1915-1951. Correspondents include the major political and public figures of the day, including Dean Acheson, Thomas Dewey, John Foster Dulles, Herbert Hoover, Henry Cabot Lodge, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman. Researchers should note that the correspondence is but a fragment of what once existed. The files were severely weeded prior to their coming to the University of Michigan.

The Correspondence series is divided into four subseries: General, College of Literature, Science and the Arts, Rackham School of Graduate Studies, and University Executive Officers. The General subseries is divided into two sequences: the first and largest sequence is arranged chronologically from 1919 to 1939, a period of great development for the department; the second sequence, arranged alphabetically, is comprised of one folder of miscellaneous correspondence from the years 1965 to 1977. The last three subseries contain correspondence between the department and a number of university officials from the years 1965 to 1982. Topics are routine in nature and include curriculum changes, budget requests, and hiring.

The Correspondence series (1.35 linear feet) is organized as it was received. Correspondence is arranged by year and then, generally, according to author. The majority of the materials are written by Marion Blydenburgh and George (Theron) Blydenburgh to family members in the United States describing daily life, family matters, and news of the hospital's progress during their time in China from 1920-1931. The first exception is a small amount of materials related to George and Marion Blydenburgh's travels in the United States prior to their departure to China from San Francisco in 1920 as well as a return trip to the United States by the Blydenburgh family in 1925. The second exception is materials related to the Blydenburgh family's time spent in Japan and Korea after their evacuation from Nanchang due to incidents related to military campaigns and subsequent events in 1927.

The Correspondence series, which spans the dates 1922-1971, offers much of musical interest. Included are letters from composers Paul Creston, George Crumb, Walter Piston, Quincy Porter and Ross Lee Finney. Extensive correspondence from violin master Leopold Auer as well as correspondence from violinists Jascha Heifitz and Joseph Szigeti and author Upton Sinclair is also included. The topics discussed in this series range from comments on premiere performances of several composer's works to violin performance practices. One folder contains correspondence with rare violin dealer Emil Hermann and documents Ross' purchase of the 1705 "Joset" Stradivarius violin. This folder serves to show how the violin market changed over a thirty-year time span.

University of Michigan correspondence includes School of Music Dean Earl V. Moore from 1941 to 1964 and his successor James B. Wallace from 1950 to 1969. This correspondence provides insights into the music school's interest in the development of its string program and support of Ross. A consequent folder documents Ross' initial resignation submitted in 1964 and dissatisfaction with the music school's direction under Wallace's leadership. This resignation was eventually withdrawn by Ross.