The Papers of Dr. Thomas Blossom
Scope and Contents - Series Descriptions - Access - Contents Listing
Biography
Thomas Blossom was born on February 15, 1912, to Harold H. and Mary Dawson Blossom in Dedham, Massachusetts. His secondary education was at the Boston Latin School (1926-1929) and at the Beacon School in Wellesley, Mass. Blossom received his B. a. from Amherst College in Amherst, Mass., in 1934, his M. A. in 1935 from Columbia University in New York and His Ph.D. from Duke University in Durham, N. C., in 1956.
Blossom taught history at the secondary level from 1935 to 1940 when he entered the U.S. Navy for the duration of World War II. Blossom served with the Interior Department at Cherokee, N. c., as Naval Convoy Liaison Officer for the Atlantic and Mediterranean and with the Naval Separation Center interviewing separatees. From 1946 until 1963 Blossom served as a reserve officer with the U.S. Navy.
From 1946 to 1956 Blossom was assistant and then associate professor of history at the Citadel in Charleston, S. C. In 1956 Blossom accepted the position of chairman with the Social Studies department at Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas. In 1958 Blossom became assistant professor of Humanities at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Blossom wrote three books: The Americas (1964), Narino (1967), and a biography of Santander. He was a contributor to the 1972 edition of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia. Blossom also wrote many book reviews and scholarly articles. He was listed in Who's Who Among American Authors and International Who's Who.
Thomas Blossom married the former Mildred Underwood, (1940). They resided in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They had four children: Frances (Mrs. John L. Caughey), Katherine Eleanor, Mary (Mrs. Terry Springle) and Martha (Mrs. James Medeiros). Dr. Blossom died in 1992.
Scope and Contents
Thomas Blossom had an active career as a teacher. His papers reflect this aspect of his life. His papers contain one file on genealogy; otherwise, the papers pertain to his publications, his faculty position, or his classes.
Series Descriptions
The papers are divided into seven series: Series I, Genealogy; Series II, Papers and Publications; Series III, University of Florida (1960-1964); Series IV, ODC/OCU (1964-1977) ; Series V, PACE - Fall 1975 ; Series VI, Printed Materials; and Series VII, Miscellaneous Memorabilia.
Provenance
Gift of Dr. Thomas Blossom, October 12, 1976
Accession # A76-57
Access
Open to researchers without restrictions. Questions on literary property rights should be directed to the Special Collections Librarian.
Size
7 Hollinger Documents Cases. 2.92 Linear Feet.
Collection Number
RG 17-5B1
Contents Listing
Series I: Personal History
Box 1
Folder 1: Genealogical paper on maternal grandfather, Jackson Dawson and his
medal, 1925
Folder 2: Naval certificates, 1946, 1956
Folder 3: Unorganized Militia Certificates from South Carolina, 1949, 1953
Folder 4: Vita: Blossom, 1963
Folder 5: Boston Latin School Catalogue and related news clippings, 1965
Series II: Papers
Sub-series A: Drafts
Folder 6: Book review draft: Authoritarian Brazil by Alfred Stepan, 1973
Folder 7: Book review draft: Brazil and the Great Powers by Stanley Hilton
[n.d.]
Folder 8: Book review draft: The Revolution that Never Was by Joseph A. Page,
1972
Folder 9: Encyclopedia article draft: Garcia Marquez, Gabriel
Folder 10: Encyclopedia article draft: Gonzaga, Tomas Antonio
Folder 11: Encyclopedia article draft: Gris, Juan
Folder 12: Encyclopedia article draft: Matos Guerra, Gregario
Folder 13: Encyclopedia article draft: Rocha Pita, Sebastiao
Folder 14: Encyclopedia article draft: Rojas Pinilla, Gustavo
Sub-series B: Papers
Folder 15: M. A. Thesis: "Congressional Opposition to the World War,"
1935
Folder 16: Paper: "Journey of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca from Malbodo
Island to Culoqan Sonaloa," 1947
Folder 17: Paper: "The South Sea Bubble," 1949
Folder 18: Script: "Unto These Hills," 1950
Folder 19: Paper: Antonio Narino, 1953
Folder 20: Sermon: "Material Progress is Not Enough", 1953
Box 2
Folder 1: Reprint of article on Antonio Narino, 1958
Folder 2: Paper: "Agony and the Ecstasy," 1963
Folder 3: Paper: "Origin and Development of Pan-American Union and the
OAS," 1963
Folder 4: Carbon of The Americas, 1964
Folder 5: Book review (xerox) on Camilo Riano, 1971
Folder 6: Papers: "Latin Americans in Norfolk and Norfolk Ties with Latin
America." [n.d.]
Sub-series C: Notes
Folder 7: Antonio Narino, Notes 1962
Folder 8: Antonio Narino, Pictures [n.d.]
Folder 9:Benjamin Franklin, Picture for The Americas
Folder 10: Guides for book reviews
Folder 11: Index Cards A-Z
Folder 12: Index Cards Notes
Box 3
Folder 1: McGraw-Hill , Correspondence regarding Encyclopedia articles, 1969-71
Folder 2: Pan American Institute of Geography and History, List of Paigh Officers
and members
Folder 3: Radio Talks Material
Folder 4: Western Society for the Study of French History , Material on March
1974 meeting of
Folder 5: Western Society for the Study of French History , Material on Dec.
1975 meeting of Folder 6: Western Society for the Study of French History,
Material on Susanna Barraus, relating to paper Blossom wrote for Proceedings
of the Third Annual Meeting of
Folder 7: Western Society for the Study of French History, Material on John
Merriman relating to paper Blossom wrote for Proceedings of the Third Annual
Meeting of
Folder 8: Western Society for the Study of French History, Material on Ted
Newman relating to paper Blossom wrote for Proceedings of the Third Annual
Meeting of
Box 4
Series III: University of Florida, 1960-1964
Folder 1: Correspondence from Guillermo de Alba, 1963
Folder 2: History 326 - "The New Germany," 1960
Folder 3: History 326 - Course Material, 1961-62
Folder 4: Memorandum of Proposal regarding Electronic Institute of Languages,
University of Florida, 1962
Folder 5: University of Florida Summer Bulletin, Summer 1967
Box 5
Series IV ODC/ODU 1964-1977
Sub-series A: Correspondence
Folder 1: Correspondence with HEW concerning International Education Act,
1966
Folder 2: General Correspondence, 1970-1975
Sub-series B: Course Material
Folder 3: History 101/102
Folder 4: History 302
Folder 5: History 371/372
Folder 5: History 396
Folder 6: History 435
Folder 7: History 439
Folder 8: History 462
Folder 9: History 493/494
Folder 10: History 581
Sub-series C: History Department
Folder 14 Bulletins, 1967; 1972; 1974; 1977
Folder 15 Faculty Information Sheets, 1970-1976
Folder 16 Faculty Minutes for January 11, 1973
Folder 18 Graduate Studies Bulletins 1966-1974
Folder 19 Graduate Studies: Elizabeth Blandin papers and materials I
Folder 20 Graduate Studies: Elizabeth Blandin papers and materials II
Folder 21 Graduate Studies: Spanish Exam 1968
Sub-series D: News Clippings
Folder 22: ODU "Free University" newspaper clipping, 1973
Folder 23: UNews clippings on Thomas Blossom
Sub-series E: Miscellaneous
Folder 24: Cruise on U.S.S. Carver, representing ODC 1966
Folder 25: Manual: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Folder 26: Pictures at Kaufman Building, 1971
Box 6
Series V: PACE / U.S.S. Kennedy
Folder 1: "Birdfarm News" newsletter U.S.S. Kennedy, Fall 1975
Folder 2: Class records, Fall 1975
Folder 3: Collision: U.S.S. Kennedy and U.S.S. Belknap, Fall 1975
Folder 4: Correspondence, Fall 1975
Folder 5: Travel material and mementos, Fall 1975
Folder 6: Charity work: Casa Materna, Naples, Italy, Summer 1977
Folder 7: News releases: U.S.S. Kennedy, Fall 1977
Box 7
Series VI: Printed Materials
Folder 1: Alaz Quarterly, 1960
Folder 2: History: Reviews of New Books - Oct. 1972, Oct.1974, Oct. 1975,
Feb. 1976
Folder 3: A Man of Lebanon by John Dabul, 1976
Folder 4: Perspective: Monthly Reviews of new books - Apr. 1972, Aug. 1972,
Jan-Feb., 1974
Folder 5: Various Latin American Printed Materials
Revised 4/16/08