Fred J. Ericson papers

Collection

Identifier: 010.FJE

Staff Only

Abstract

Materials in the Fred J. Ericson papers are organized in two series: Professional and Military Service. Material in the Professional series is extremely limited given his tenure teaching in the Department of History. This series includes three publications written by Ericson about British Colonialism; Promotion Materials and Posthumous items. Materials in the Military Service series includes photographs and items Ericson returned to the United States with after his time in China. The Inventory of "captured enemy military equipment," details these items, many of which are in the collection. There is no documentation in the collection of the work he did while enlisted for the US Government.

Dates

1941 - 1946

Biographical note

Fred J. Ericson was born December 13, 1903 in Rockton, Wisconsin. He completed his undergraduate degree at Broadview College in LaGrange, Illinois in 1924. He taught at the college and studied at the University of Chicago where he obtained a masters degree in 1929. From there he taught at Morton High School and Junior College in Cicero, Illinois and returned to the University of Chicago on fellowship to complete his doctorate. He joined the faculty of the history department at the Michigan State Normal College (MSNC) in 1940. From 1943-46, during WWII, Ercison took a leave from MSNC to serve in the Air Forse where he became a historical officer of the 14th Air Force in China. 14 months were spent spent in Kun Ming and Shanghai, the remaining time in Washington D.C. where he compiled the China History During the War for the federal archives. He returned to the University where he taught until his death on December 21, 1966. He was survived by his wife Vivian (nee Purdy of Racine Wisconsin). They were married in 1924.

Extent

9.2 Linear Feet (1 halfsize archive box, 1 clamshell box, 4 oversize folders)

Language of Materials

English

Chinese

Additional Description

Content Description

Materials were originally collected and created by Fred J. Ericson from the Michigan State Normal College department of history. They were gifted to Dennis Norton, who in turn, donated them to the University Archives in 2022.