The bulk of the Holland Roberts California Labor School collection consists of the first draft of Roberts' memoirs, written circa 1971, centering on his time at the California Labor School. The memoirs provide a retrospective view of the School and Dr. Roberts' life, starting with his career as an associate professor at Stanford and through the closing of the School, and concluding with post-California Labor School chapter fragments on academic freedom and the HUAC hearing in San Francisco in 1960. The collection also contains materials on the California Labor School, including correspondence by Dr. Roberts as well as David Jenkins; class outlines on U.S. History and other classes Roberts taught; and a criticism of his outline by a colleague. There is also a folder with class outlines from the Jefferson School of Social Science in New York which Roberts collected.

Holland Roberts' higher education was at the University of Chicago where he received advanced degrees in English (1919) and Education (1925). During his early career, he taught English at various midwest colleges and in New York City at Columbia University. In 1934 he came to Stanford University as an assistant professor of education for English teachers and by 1939, he was an associate professor. Dr. Roberts professional affiliations included the National Council of Teachers of English; he served as president in 1937-38 and again in 1944. He was the author of textbooks, articles and research studies in the field of education. His extra-curricular interests and activities included a lifelong study of the USSR, AFT organizing at Stanford, campaigning for the freedom of Tom Mooney, and promoting a school for trade unionists and the new workers in WWII industries. These activities served to identify Holland Roberts as a left-wing radical and Stanford University responded by refusing to renew his contract in the Spring of 1944. As he was not tenured, the action served as dismissal without recourse.

0.75 cubic ft. (2 boxes)

Copyright has not been assigned to the Labor Archives & Research Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote from materials must be submitted in writing to the Director of the Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Labor Archives & Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Collection is open for research.