MSS 169

Van Cleve, John V., 1947-

Papers of John V. Van Cleve, 1923-1986

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository:  Gallaudet University Archives

Call No.:  MSS 169

Creator:

Title:  Papers of John V. Van Cleve, 1923-1986

Quantity:  4 linear feet (7 document boxes and 1 small box with photographs)

Abstract:  This collection consists of articles, correspondence, manuscripts, newsletters, and photographs.

Note:

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information:  The Papers of John V. Van Cleve was donated to the Gallaudet University Archives by John V. Van Cleve circa 1988.

Processed By:  Jeffrey Peterson, 2008 September 12.

Processing Note:  Please see Gallaudet University Archives staff for assistance with viewing photographs.

Conditions on Use and Access:  This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives

Photographs

• John Van Cleve [picture].  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits

Vertical Files

• John Van Cleve.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch

John V. Van Cleve was born April 8, 1947, in Evanston, Illinois.  Van Cleve briefly attended the University of Illinois, Urbana, in 1965 before transferring to the Western Sate College of Colorado where he obtained his BA in history in 1970.  He later went on to pursue and acquire his master’s and PhD degrees in history at the University of California, Irvine, in 1971 and 1976, respectively.  During that time Van Cleve worked as a teacher’s assistant teaching various history courses at UC Irvine and lectured for one semester at California State University, Fullerton.  Van Cleve began teaching history at Gallaudet College in August of 1976.

Van Cleve had several pieces of work published and served as an editor for various historical writings regarding the deaf.  One of his largest achievements was the publishing in 1987 of a 3 volume encyclopedia on deafness, the Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deaf People and Deafness.  Van Cleve served as Editor in Chief.  The Encyclopedia, the first of its kind, covered international sign languages, family dynamics, acoustics, schools for the deaf worldwide, biographies for over 70 prominent deaf individuals in history, and more.

Van Cleve retired from Gallaudet University in 2007.

Scope and Content

The Papers of John V. Van Cleve consists of 7 document boxes and 1 smaller box containing photographs for a total of 4 linear feet.  The materials within the collection range from 1923 to 1986.  The earliest documents from 1923 to 1969 are article reprints on Ramon and Valentin de Zubiaurre (see folder list below).  The majority of content is from 1980-1985.

Documents in the papers range from articles, booklets, correspondence, lists, manuscripts, newsletters, notes, and outlines.

The bulk of the papers are correspondence and manuscripts.  The strongest component of the collection is manuscripts.  In this set are materials that were used for the Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deaf People and Deafness.  There are drafts for entries into the Encyclopedia, proposals for entries, and edited pieces of work.  (Manuscripts that required editing were labeled “problem entries” by Van Cleve.  See folder list below.)  Most of the manuscripts are from 1983-1985—the Encyclopedia was published in 1987.  The weakest part of the collection is minutes and agenda of the advisory board for the Encyclopedia.  There is only one folder in the collection with the dealings of the committee responsible for collecting and organizing the various materials to make the Encyclopedia a possibility, as well as funding, payment, and other responsibilities.  It can be surmised that the advisory board met frequently and often but the materials in this collection pertaining to the board are miniscule.

Also included in the collection is one small box containing photographs from 1968 to the early 1980s.  Most of these pictures are portraits or photographs of deaf events from foreign countries that were published in the Gallaudet Encyclopedia of Deaf People and Deafness.   Please see archives staff for assistance with viewing photographs.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists

No Series.