Title: George S. Counts papers, 1907-1974
ID: 1/2/MSS 134
Primary Creator: Counts, George S. (George Sylvester), (1889-1974.)
Extent: 14.0 Boxes
Arrangement: Arranged in thirteen series: (1) Biographical mattter, (2) Correspondence (1907-1974), (3) Speeches, (4) Manuscripts, (5) Classroom materials, (6) Russian memorabilia, (7) Conference material, (8) Printed materials by Counts, (9) Printed materials by others, (10) Awards, (11) Newspaper clippings, (12) Miscellaneous, (13) Standing volumes.
Date Acquired: 00/00/1978
Subjects: Counts, George S. (George Sylvester), 1889-1974., Russia - Description and travel
Forms of Material: Correspondence., Counts, George S. (George Sylvester), 1889-1974. - Correspondence, Counts, George S. (George Sylvester), 1889-1974. - Manuscripts, Diaries., Ephemera., Manuscripts for publication., Photographs, Postcards, Records (documents)
George Sylvester Counts was born on a farm near Baldwin City, Kansas, on December 9, 1889. His BA from Baker University (1911) in classical studies included the study of history, philosophy, and the natural sciences. He then taught for two years in two high schools in Kansas and in 1913 went to the University of Chicago (1913-1916) where he was awarded a Ph.D. magna cum laude, in education and social sciences. Thereafter, he embarked upon a teaching career that took him to various American colleges and universities including Yale University, the University of Chicago, and Teachers College, Columbia University (1927-1955). Upon his retirement from Columbia, he taught at the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Colorado, Michigan State University, Northwestern University, and finally came to Southern Illinois University as Visiting Distinguished Professor in the College of Education (1962-1974).
George S. Counts wrote numerous books, monographs, and hundreds of articles on education and social affairs. The New Russian Primer (1931) was selected by the Book of the Month Club and The Challenge of Soviet Education, was given the Liberty and Justice Award by the American Library Association, "adjudged the most distinguished book of 1957 in contemporary problems and affairs." Some of his other books include The Principles of Education (1924), The Soviet Challenge to America (1931), A Ford Crosses Soviet Russia (1931), The Social Foundation of Education (1934), The Prospects of American Democracy (1938), The Country of the Blind (1949), Education and American Civilization (1952), and Education and the Foundations of Human Freedom (1963). These books reflected his concern for the problems of the relation of education to society and civilization. Counts was active in several professional and political organizations such as the American Federation of Teachers (President, 1939-1942); the American Liberal Party of New York State; the American Historical Association, where he became a close colleague of Charles A. Beard; the National Academy of Education; and the American Civil Liberties Union.
George Counts died on November 10, 1974, in Belleville, Illinois.
Repository: Southern Illinois University Special Collections Research Center
Access Restrictions: Unrestricted access.
Use Restrictions: To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole, or in part in any publication, including on the World Wide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult Special Collections Research Center to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation to the original.
Acquisition Source: Gift
Preferred Citation: [Item], George S. Counts papers, Special Collections Resarch Center, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Our American Faith. AMs, TMs;
The Perpetual Exclusion of the Negro from Democratic Rights;
The Position of the Teacher in Russia. AMs, TMs;
The Post-War World;
Practices and Forces that Weaken the Concept of Universal and Free Public Education;
A Proposal for Improving the Quality of Instruction and Discipline in the Public School;
A Proposal for the Establishment at Teachers College of an Institute for the Study of the Historical and Cultural Foundation of American Education;
Proposed Study of Education and Culture in an American Industrial Community
The Question of Segregation in World Perspective (1958);
The Question of Segregation in World Perspective;
A Rational Faith in Education. Annotated, TMs
The Real Challenge. AMs, TMs;
The Redirection of American Public Education, A Frontier of the Sixties
Should the Teacher Always Be Neutral? Annotated, TMs;
Social Understanding for Survival;
Some Random Notes on Ethical Standards in Politics;
Some Thoughts on the Preparation of Teachers. AMs, TMs
Soviet Education is Better Than Ours. Annotated, AMs, TMs;
The Soviet System of Mind Control, May 1952;
The Soviet System of Mind Control
The Study of Communism in the School. AMs, TMs;
Tentative Plan for the Organization of an Institute of Social Research at Teachers College;
A Turning Point in My Life;
The Totalitarian Mind. Annotated, 2 copies
What Are the Enduring Values Inherent in Our Society?;
What is Patriotism?;
Where Are We? TMs;
Where Are We? Annotated, AMs, TMs
