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Frank R. Shivers Research Papers

 Collection
Identifier: R0045-FRS

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Scope and Contents

The Frank R. Shivers Research Papers contains much of the publication-related work from Shivers' career. Included in the collection is the compiled research and notes utilized in both his published and unpublished work. The local subject matter of these projects ranges from architecture, geography, and education to extensive research into the life and work of Baltimore writer and satirist, H. L. Mencken. Contents include personal notes and research, correspondence, maps and photographs, production materials, publications, and manuscript copies.

Dates

  • Creation: 1929-2012

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research, with the exception of series 8, Educational Materials. Series 8 is restricted for student privacy until January 1, 2098.

Conditions Governing Use

To the extent that they own copyright, the donor has assigned the copyright of this collection to the University Foundation. However, copyright for some items in this collection are held by their respective creators.

Biographical / Historical

Frank R. Shivers, Jr. (1925-2021), was born in New Jersey. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and was sent to Yale University to study Japanese under an Army Specialized Training Program. After the war during Allied Occupation of Japan, Shivers served in the Counter Intelligence Corps. Shivers returned to his studies at Yale University after his service in the Army and earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in English. He met his wife, Lottchen, in Cincinnati and the couple moved to Baltimore in 1951. By 1955, they had settled in the Bolton Hill neighborhood, where they stayed throughout their lives. In 1954, Shivers began working as the chair of the English Department at Friends school. He taught there until his retirement in 1980. He continued to teach until 1999 as an adjunct professor at Towson University, at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and at Johns Hopkins University in its School of Professional Studies, Business and Education.

As a local historian and author, Shivers wrote four books and co-authored two additional books. Among his published works are: "Bolton Hill: Baltimore Classic," "Maryland Wits and Baltimore Bards," "Bolton Hill: Classic Baltimore Neighborhood: Blue Plaque Edition," "Walking in Baltimore", and "The Architecture of Baltimore" (co-authored with Mary Ellen Hayward). He was also active in local history organizations as a board member of Baltimore Heritage, the Peale Museum, the Flag House and the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore.

Shivers was also a community activist who was a member of the Mount Royal Improvement Association and the Citizens Planning and Housing Association. He was also dedicated to the beautification of his neighborhood, Bolton Hill, and worked with neighbors on projects such as the Blue Plaques program, and planting gardens in the community. He passed away in 2021.

[Information for this Biographical note was gathered from the obituary, "Frank R. Shivers Jr., longtime Bolton Hill educator, writer and regional historian, dies" By Frederick N. Rasmussen in the Baltimore Sun, published, October 10, 2021].

Extent

18.13 Linear Feet (18 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into eight series:

  • Bolton Hill Book
  • Walking In Baltimore
  • Chesapeake Waters
  • Garden and Wellesley Clubs
  • H.L. Mencken Materials
  • Sara Haardt Materials
  • Other Projects
  • Education Materials (Restricted)

Custodial History

The collection was donated to the University of Baltimore by Frank R. Shivers, Jr. on September 3, 1996. Additional accruals were donated by Natalie Shivers and transferred to the University in September 2022 and April 2023.

Related Materials

Related materials at UBalt Special Collections and Archives include:

  • Mount Royal Improvement Association Records
  • Citizens Planning and Housing Association Records
  • Baltimore Heritage Records
  • Mary Ellen Hayward Papers
  • Edgar Allan Poe Society Records

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Thomas Dettling, 2022-2023.

Title
Finding aid for the Frank R. Shivers Research Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Aiden Faust in 2015. Revised by Laura Bell (2022). Revised by Aiden Faust and Thomas Dettling (2023).
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Baltimore Studies Archives Repository

Contact:
H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons, Room 104
1415 Maryland Avenue
Baltimore Maryland 21201 USA
410-837-4253