Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 13/14/51
Edward (1887-1985) and Minne (1887-1980) Allen
Papers, 1887-1985, undated
Descriptive summary
| creator: | Allen, Edward (1887-1985) and Minne (1887-1980) |
| title: | Papers |
| dates: | 1887-1985, undated |
| extent: | 4.62 linear feet (11 document boxes) |
| collection number: | RS 13/14/51 |
| repository: | University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
| preferred citation: | Edward and Minne Allen Papers, RS13/14/51, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Biographical note
Edward Switzer Allen was born in Kansas City on December 12, 1887. He received an A.B. (1909), A.M. (1910) and a Ph. D (1914) from Harvard University in Geometry. He attended the University of Rome (1911-1913) in Italy under a Harvard fellowship and later, during the 1931-1932 academic school year, Dr. Allen spent time at the University of Berlin in Germany listening to the lectures of; Albert Einstein, E. Schrödinger and Richard von Mises. Before coming to Iowa State University as an Associate Professor (1921), Dr. Allen served as an Instructor of Mathematics on the faculties at Dartmouth (1913), Brown University (1914), and the University of Michigan (1915-1919). Dr. Allen was also an Associate Professor at West Virginia University (1919-1921). During his tenure at Iowa State (College) University he was a Professor of Mathematics from 1943-1985 and was a visiting Professor at Grinnell College (1960-1962), at Cottey College (1964-1964) and at Wartburg College (1967-1969). Dr. Allen's main area of research concerned algebraic geometry, applications of mathematics to chemistry, enumeration and probability. Dr. Allen was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and served on the Iowa State University Art Committee. He was a member of American Association of University Professors, American Mathematical Society, the Mathematical Association of America, The Circolo Matematico di Palermo in Italy, and a member of Deutsche MathematikerVereiningungg in Germany. He was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union and a founder of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union (1935) where he served as president for several terms. A book titled "Freedom in Iowa" was written by Dr. Allen dealing with this organization in Iowa. He also wrote and translated many books about mathematics. Together with his wife Minne, Dr. Allen entertained numerous foreign students and faculty through an Iowa State club called the Cosmopolitan Club and worked diligently for civil liberties. Edward Switzer Allen died May 8, 1985. Minne Müller-Liebenwalde was born February 7, 1887 in Sondershausen, Germany. She earned a B.S. from Iowa State College. At Iowa State she taught Sociology and was promoted to Assistant Professor. She held this position until Iowa State passed a law forbidding members of the same family to be in their employ. Minne Allen was a member of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Ames Friends Meeting, and United Church Women. Along with her husband she did a wide range of peace activist ambassadorships. Together Edward and Minne Allen had 2 sons named Julius and Herman. They also had a daughter named Rosemarie. Minne died September 9, 1980. |
Collection description
This collection (1887-1985) consists of biographical information on Edward and Minne Allen. It includes their correspondences, and work with the Iowa Civil Liberties Union. The civil liberties case of James Rusk in particular denotes special attention. This series contains published articles and manuscripts by Edward, news clippings, course material and memorabilia from Harvard. It contains lectures and course material from when Dr. Allen taught at Iowa State University and research notes on various topics. |
Organization
Description of series
| Series 1 | Biographical Information | 1887-1985, undated |
| extent: | 1.26 linear feet (3 document boxes) | |
| description: | This series contains the biographical information of Edward and Minne Allen as well as postcards, memory books, date books, newspaper clippings and photographs. This series is arranged chronologically. | |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
1 |
Biographical information |
1887-1985 |
1 |
11 |
Minne's notes on geology in German |
1908 |
4 |
2 |
Christmas song book in German |
1914 |
1 |
8 |
Minne's day book (1 2x3 b/w photograph) |
1914 |
1 |
3 |
Personal date book |
1914 |
4 |
3 |
Concert Program - Albert Schweitzer in Munster |
1928 |
2 |
11 |
Newspaper clippings from 25th anniversary reunion |
1934 |
1 |
2 |
Newspaper clippings about Dr. Allen and wife Minne |
1933-1985 |
1 |
9 |
Postcards of Minne and Edward |
1933-1961 |
1 |
4 |
Certificates- Iowa State faculty citations/ Harvard award |
1945-1971 |
1 |
6 |
Matins talks |
1946 |
4 |
6 |
Photographs (1 3x5 b/w photograph, 1 7x9 photograph and 1 5x7 color photograph) |
1959 |
1 |
5 |
Ames Friends Meeting book (2 3x5 color photographs and 17 3x5 b/w photographs) |
1960 |
4 |
8 |
Household accounts |
1962-1984 |
1 |
12 |
Newspaper clippings concerning political issues |
1973 |
4 |
9 |
Roger Baldwin - "A Remembrance" |
1976 |
4 |
10 |
War Resister's League |
1981 |
4 |
7 |
Interview of Edward and Minne Allen during their 85th year by Dorcas Wheatley Spear audio tape and CD |
1972 circa |
4 |
1 |
Personal book containing postcard and quotes |
undated |
1 |
10 |
Photographs of Edward and Minne (2 2x3 color photographs) |
undated |
Description of series
| Series 2 | Harvard Related Activities | 1906-1970, undated |
| extent: | 0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes) | |
| description: | This series contains information concerning Dr. Allen's course work taken as a student at Harvard with some of his class notes written in Italian and German. It contains correspondence from the Harvard Club plus photographs, directories, bylaws and relevant information on the Harvard Club. This series contains memorabilia from his days as a student such as; dance cards, commencement programs, Jr. class dinner cards and information on class reunions. | |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
2 |
7 |
Class notes - Mathematics II |
undated |
2 |
6 |
Class notes - Physics |
undated |
2 |
5 |
Class notes - Functions of Elliptic Cylinder |
undated |
2 |
21 |
Harvard Club photographs - (2 2x3 b/w photographs) |
|
2 |
8 |
Harvard Club - Constitution and by laws of the Associated Harvard Clubs |
undated |
11 |
1 |
Correspondence - International Union of students at Harvard |
undated |
1 |
15 |
Harvard winners of academic distinctions |
1906-1907 |
1 |
16 |
Harvard commencement program |
1909 |
1 |
14 |
Harvard dance card |
1909 |
1 |
13 |
Harvard Junior class dinner cards class of 1909 |
1909 |
1 |
17 |
Harvard College Class of 1909 first report |
1910 |
2 |
1 |
Class notes - Geometria Differenziale |
1911 |
2 |
2 |
Class notes - Relativitat in German |
1911 |
2 |
3 |
Class notes - Hilbert in German |
1912 |
2 |
4 |
Class notes - notebook in Italian on various topics |
1913 |
9 |
16 |
Harvard Mathematical Club |
1925-1937 |
2 |
9 |
Harvard Club - correspondence |
1933 |
2 |
10 |
Harvard Club - 25th Anniversary of graduation materials |
1934 |
2 |
13 |
Harvard Club - program and announcements |
1936 |
2 |
12 |
Harvard Club - tercentenary materials |
1936 |
2 |
14 |
Harvard Club - correspondence |
1940 |
2 |
16 |
Harvard Club - directory of officers |
1940-1942 |
2 |
15 |
Harvard Club - annual questionnaire |
1941 |
2 |
17 |
Harvard Club - correspondence |
1942 |
2 |
18 |
Harvard Club - correspondence |
1943 |
2 |
19 |
Harvard Club - assorted directories |
1944 |
2 |
20 |
Harvard Club - correspondence |
1945 |
2 |
22 |
Harvard Club - reports and information |
1946 |
2 |
23 |
Harvard Club - correspondence |
1947 |
2 |
24 |
Harvard Club - meeting announcement |
1948 |
2 |
25 |
Harvard Club - meeting notes |
1949 |
2 |
26 |
Harvard Club - correspondence |
1957 |
2 |
27 |
Harvard Club - class of 1909 50th anniversary reunion |
1959 |
2 |
28 |
Harvard Club - correspondence |
1970 |
Description of series
| Series 3 | Publications | 1892-1979, undated |
| extent: | 2.52 linear feet (6 document boxes) | |
| description: | This collection contains the publications of Dr. Allen. Many of the topics of interest he wrote about include; religious views from the perspective of the Friends Church, mathematical theories, probability, psychology and geometry. This series is arranged alphabetically. | |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
3 |
1 |
"Accuracy of the Dilution Methods of Estimating the Density of a Population of Micro-organisms" |
1932 |
8 |
5 |
Manuscript - "The Accuracy of the Dilution Method of Estimating the Density of Micro-Organisms" |
1931 |
3 |
2 |
"An Attempt at a Formal Methodology of Empirical Systems" |
undated |
3 |
3 |
"Analisi Matematica Algebrica ed Infinitesimale" |
1939 |
3 |
4 |
"Analysis of the General Second Degree Equation" |
1924 |
3 |
5 |
"Biologiemathematique" |
1937 |
3 |
6 |
"Bi-Rational Transformations and Linear Systems of Curves on a Surface" |
undated |
3 |
7 |
"Boolean Algebra" |
undated |
3 |
8 |
"Confirmation of Hypothesis in Psychology" |
1954 |
3 |
9 |
"Courses in Probability" |
undated |
3 |
10 |
"Curve Razionale Normali k-archi Negli Spazi Finiti" |
undated |
3 |
11 |
"Decomposition of 4(xp-1)/(x-1)" |
undated |
11 |
42 |
"Definitions of Imaginary and Complex Numbers" |
1922 |
3 |
12 |
"Definitions of Probability" |
undated |
3 |
13 |
"Development of Tensor Analysis" |
1961 |
3 |
14 |
"Die Mathematiscle Denweise" |
undated |
3 |
15 |
"Die Philosophie der Mathematik in der Gegenwart" |
undated |
3 |
16 |
"Diff Theories Genügt die Dichte der Gleichung" |
undated |
3 |
17 |
"Dilution Problems" |
1938 |
3 |
18 |
"Elementary Analysis of the General Equation of Second Degree" |
1924 |
3 |
19 |
"Esistenza di una Soluzione in Problemi Analoghi a Quello di Stefan" |
undated |
3 |
20 |
"Extensive and Normalized Game Forms" |
undated |
3 |
21 |
"Friends of the Free Religious Spirit: Modernistic Christian" |
undated |
3 |
22 |
"Humbert's Théorie General des Surfaces Hyberelliptiques" |
1892 |
3 |
23 |
"Huntington's Postulational Method in Mathematics" |
1933 |
3 |
24 |
"Hyper Probability" |
1936 |
3 |
25 |
"Infinite Series" |
1911-1924 |
3 |
26 |
"Issacson's Problems in Classifying Animate Populations" |
undated |
3 |
27 |
"Jung on Algebraic Functions" |
1924 |
3 |
28 |
"La Seconde Période du Jeu de Cloche et Marteau" |
1928 |
3 |
29 |
"Liege 1822-1890 Paris" |
undated |
3 |
30 |
"Loyalty of Freeman Nature" |
1951 |
3 |
31 |
"Mathematics Problem not in Geometina Moderna" |
undated |
3 |
32 |
"Möglich in German" |
undated |
3 |
33 |
"Möglich Relativity" |
undated |
3 |
34 |
"Number of Stereoisomeric Alcohols" |
1942 |
3 |
35 |
"On Certain Power Series with Positive Coefficients" |
1928 |
3 |
36 |
"Outline of Statistics" |
undated |
5 |
1 |
"Patterns and Shapes" |
undated |
5 |
2 |
"Polya Plausibility" |
undated |
5 |
3 |
"Probability Theory for the Condensation of A-R-B2 Units" |
1956 |
5 |
4 |
"Projective Geometry" |
undated |
5 |
5 |
"Readings in Probability" |
undated |
5 |
6 |
"Reichenbach on Probability" |
1936 |
5 |
7 |
"Relativistic Reflections" |
1926 |
5 |
8 |
"Remarks on Some Classical Problems" |
undated |
5 |
9 |
"Review of the Nature of Probability" |
undated |
5 |
10 |
"Scientific Work of Vito Volterra" |
1941 |
5 |
11 |
"Sobre la Applicatión de la Estudistica Mathematician a la Bacteriologica Application of Mathematical Statistics to Bacteriology" |
1944 |
5 |
12 |
"Structure Counting Functions" |
1958 |
5 |
13 |
"Su di Alcrumi Indicir atti a Misurare L'attrazione Matrimoniale in Classification Dictome" |
undated |
5 |
14 |
"Su di un Methodo per la Ricera di Alcune Funzion" |
undated |
5 |
15 |
"Summation the Introduction to the Definite Integral" |
undated |
5 |
16 |
"Sur les Surfaces Algébiques Admettant des Integrals de Differentielles Totalles de Premient Espéce" |
undated |
5 |
17 |
"Teaching of Geometry: Concerning Rigor and Certain Critical Exaggerations" |
undated |
5 |
18 |
"The Ring of Real Polynomials" |
1967 |
5 |
19 |
"Three Books on NonEuclidean Geometry" |
1929 |
5 |
20 |
"Tolman Stat Mechanics" |
undated |
5 |
21 |
"Topologie" |
undated |
5 |
22 |
"Two Books on Foundations of Geometry" |
1931 |
5 |
23 |
"Un Problema Probabilistico della Chinica" |
1956 |
5 |
24 |
"Undergraduate Mathematics Research in Iowa Colleges" |
1963 |
5 |
25 |
"Voices in the Sea: Communication Among Whales" |
1979 |
5 |
26 |
"Von Mises Physical Statistics Handicapped" |
undated |
5 |
27 |
"Welcome to the Members of the Fifth International Congress of Mathematics" |
1912 |
5 |
28 |
"What is Probability?" |
undated |
Description of series
| Series 4 | Research Notes | 1900-1960 undated |
| extent: | 0.42 linear feet (1 document box) | |
| description: | This collection contains notes on research topics. Areas of interest included are; notes on abstracts of Biometrika, Volterra, Eggenberger, Woodger and Meton. Included also are notes on probability, infinite series, geometry, atoms and the cosmos and science. | |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
5 |
30 |
Abstracts from other sources |
undated |
5 |
33 |
Authors and affiliations |
undated |
8 |
6 |
Notes and articles on probability |
undated |
9 |
1 |
Notes of infinite series |
undated |
9 |
2 |
Notes of probability |
undated |
9 |
3 |
Notes on Eggenberger |
undated |
9 |
6 |
Notes on science |
undated |
9 |
7 |
Notes on speech about probability |
undated |
5 |
34 |
Extracts from reviews |
1900-1909 |
9 |
4 |
Notes on geometry |
1911 |
9 |
8 |
Review of Meton's biological abstracts |
1932-1960 |
9 |
9 |
Review of atom and cosmos |
1933 |
5 |
32 |
Abstracts of Volterra |
1936 |
5 |
31 |
Abstracts of Biometrika |
1936-1938 |
9 |
10 |
Review of Woodger's "The Axionatic Method in Biology" |
1937 |
5 |
29 |
Abstracts from Acadamie Royale de Belgique de la Classe des Sciences |
1947-1958 |
9 |
5 |
Notes on probability and combinations |
1949 |
6 |
1 |
Manuscript and notes from translation of Beriamino's Lezionidi Geometrica Moderna |
1960 |
Description of series
| Series 5 | Lectures and Classes at Iowa State University | 1922-1954, undated |
| extent: | 0.42 linear feet (1 document box) | |
| description: | This series consists of Iowa State University math classes taught by Edward Allen. The classes covered are general math, statistics, probability, algebra and calculus. | |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
9 |
14 |
Math 103, 112, 124, 128 - class notes |
1922-1937 |
9 |
17 |
Math 1, 3, 5, 6 - practice problems, reviews and test questions |
1926-1934 |
9 |
18 |
Statistical Mechanics - exam questions |
1930 |
9 |
19 |
Math 674, 675 - exam questions |
1934-1952 |
9 |
20 |
Calculus 211 - exam and notes |
1936 |
9 |
21 |
Probability, combinations, relativity, geometry - exams |
1936 |
9 |
22 |
Math 626, 627- exam questions |
1936-1940 |
9 |
23 |
Math 211 - review questions and exams |
1937-1955 |
10 |
1 |
Math 212 - exams |
1937-1957 |
10 |
2 |
Math 213 - review questions and exams |
1937-1974 |
10 |
3 |
Math 556, 600, 616, 640 - exams |
1938-1951 |
10 |
4 |
Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematical Competition - exams |
1943 |
10 |
5 |
Mathematics II - Students Comments |
1943 |
10 |
6 |
Math 314, 315, 316 - exams |
1947-1949 |
10 |
7 |
Algebra 101 - exam |
1954 |
9 |
11 |
Determinants - worksheets and handouts |
undated |
9 |
12 |
Democracy in education - notes |
undated |
9 |
13 |
Trigonometry, geometry, integral calculus, differential calculus and logarithm - tables and problem sets |
undated |
Description of series
| Series 6 | Correspondence | 1924-1975, undated |
| extent: | 0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes) | |
| description: | This series contains correspondence between Edward Allen and his peers concerning reviews of mathematical publications, papers and letters concerning the publication of his manuscripts. Also included are international letters written in German and Italian, and some letters written to family members. | |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
9 |
15 |
James Wettereau - General Honors Program at Columbia |
1923 |
11 |
4 |
Professor H. Fehr |
1924 |
11 |
5 |
International Circle |
1924-1926 |
11 |
6 |
H.O. Halverson |
1931 |
11 |
7 |
President Hughes |
1931 |
11 |
8 |
Harold Batchelor |
1931 |
11 |
9 |
R.A. Fisher |
1931 |
11 |
11 |
American Association of University Professors |
1932 |
11 |
10 |
Hans Reichenbach in German |
1932-1936 |
11 |
12 |
Concerning the translation of "Atom Cosmos" |
1933 |
11 |
13 |
George Allen |
1933 |
11 |
14 |
Unsigned letter in German |
1933 |
11 |
15 |
Stephen Duggan |
1933 |
11 |
16 |
Haus Weiler |
1933 |
11 |
17 |
Concerning Biological abstracts |
1936-1935 |
11 |
19 |
Dr. Silvo Orlandi |
1937 |
11 |
18 |
The American Mathematical Society |
1938 |
11 |
20 |
Alfred Rosenblatt |
1945-1946 |
11 |
21 |
Concerning recommendations for the Council of the Department of Economics |
1946 |
11 |
22 |
Giogio Sestini |
1952 |
11 |
23 |
S. Pioli |
1955 |
11 |
24 |
President Hilton |
1956 |
11 |
25 |
Wilton Wiswesser |
1958 |
11 |
26 |
Lombardo in Italian |
1959 |
11 |
27 |
Leon Birnbaum |
1961 |
11 |
28 |
Spectator papers |
1963 |
11 |
29 |
Concerning Publication |
1967 |
11 |
30 |
Julius and Becky Allen (son and daughter-in-law) |
1970 |
11 |
33 |
Gerald Drew |
1975 |
11 |
2 |
Letter in German |
undated |
11 |
3 |
Letter in Italian |
undated |
Description of series
| Series 7 | Iowa Civil Liberties Union (ICLU) | 1938-1972, undated |
| extent: | 0.42 linear feet (1 document box) | |
| description: | This series contains the information concerning the Iowa Civil Liberties Union (ICLU) and activities Dr. and Mrs. Allen were involved in. Correspondence and information of prominence relate to James Rusk and his interment at Fort Madison prison. Rusk was seeking the help of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union in his case. The manuscript about the influence of the American Civil Liberties Union in Iowa is included too. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
4 |
4 |
Selected portions of the American Civil Liberties Union Archives microfilm |
1936-1942 |
10 |
8 |
Iowa Civil Liberties Union James Rusk case notes |
1938 |
10 |
16 |
James Rusk newspaper clippings |
1944-1948 |
10 |
9 |
James Rusk correspondence |
1945 |
10 |
10 |
James Rusk correspondence |
1946 |
10 |
11 |
James Rusk correspondence |
1947 |
10 |
12 |
James Rusk correspondence |
1948 |
4 |
5 |
Selected portions of the American Civil Liberties Union Archives microfilm |
1948-1958 |
10 |
13 |
James Rusk correspondence |
1949 |
10 |
14 |
James Rusk Correspondence |
1950-1951 |
11 |
31 |
Concerning publication of the book "The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" |
1970 |
11 |
32 |
Concerning Iowa Civil Liberties Union finances |
1972 |
5 |
35 |
Iowa Civil Liberties Union programs |
1973 |
6 |
2 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" title page -100 |
undated |
6 |
3 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" page 101-200 |
undated |
6 |
4 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" page 201-300 |
undated |
6 |
5 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" page 301-348 |
undated |
6 |
6 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" questionable footnotes |
undated |
6 |
7 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" cases and addendum notes |
undated |
6 |
8 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" assorted chapters and notes |
undated |
7 |
1 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" revised chapters |
undated |
7 |
2-8 |
Manuscript for- "Freedom in Iowa: The Role of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union" various chapters (9 folders) |
undated |
10 |
15 |
James Rusk notes |
undated |