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Michael W. Whalon Research Collection, 1960-1983

Full finding aid (pdf)

Collection Scope and Content

The contents of this collection reflect Whalon’s work in the history of American politics and the Civil War, spanning from his undergraduate years at Bowdoin College, through graduate work at the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska, including research on General Philip H. Sheridan and the Maine Republican Party.

The contents of this collection reflect Whalon’s work in the history of American politics and the Civil War, spanning from his undergraduate years at Bowdoin College, through graduate work at the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska. Series one contains research for the dissertation, completed in 1968. The second series, on General Philip H. Sheridan, contains correspondence with publishers about tentative dates for the publication of that work, along with photocopies of letters that show of Sheridan’s correspondence throughout his career. The material covered in the second series on General Philip H. Sheridan was never published.The final series (series 3) contains academic papers and some biographical information, as well as his early student research endeavors at Bowdin College. There is a second manuscript included with the Biographical and Academic Papers series that is complete, this is titled: Consistent Majorities, the Republican Party of Maine during the Civil War Era.

Biographical/Historical Note

Dr. Michael W. Whalon was born on November 4, 1941. Growing up in the small town of Pepperell, Massachusetts, Dr. Whalon began his interest in politics at a very young age. In 1952, the state wide election featured a Senate race between Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, and challenger, Congressman John F. Kennedy. In Pepperell, during the campaign, Kennedy attended a picnic also attended by the Whalon family. Whalon followed the Senatorial contest on T.V., radio, and the print media, and continued to follow politics closely thereafter, leading to his continuing interest in political history. Dr. Whalon completed his undergraduate education at Bowdoin College in 1963 with department honors. He received his master’s degree in 1964 from the University of Illinois, finishing his doctoral degree at the University of Nebraska in 1968. His dissertation, titled Maine Republicans, 1854-1866: A Study in Growth and Political Power, entailing the birth and inner workings of the Republican Party in Maine, was completed in 1968. Whalon’s dissertation advisor, Professor James A. Rawley is later mentioned in correspondence with publishers discussing his prospective publication on Civil War General Philip Sheridan.

From 1968-1976, Whalon was an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Tulsa in Texas, his area of specialty 19th century American history. In 1976, he became an Associate Professor of History at Tulsa. During the academic year of 1977-78, Whalon took his sabbatical to travel and collect research on Civil War General Philip H. Sheridan for a book that he was planning to write. In 1981, he became the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tulsa. He held that position until 1983, when he became the acting Vice Provost at the University until 1984; in 1988 becoming the Vice Provost. Whalon then became Associate Director at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center on May 29, 1989. He was put in charge of the Center’s development program. During this time, Whalon continued as a senior lecturer in Tulsa’s Department of History.

Throughout his time as a professor at Tulsa and Associate Director at the Ransom Center, Whalon published many scholarly papers and received several grants and funding for his research. This includes funding for his work on General Philip H. Sheridan that can be found in this collection. Due to his involvement in both the Ransom Center and his classes, Whalon was unable to finish his publication on Sheridan. An additional undated manuscript survives, entitled: Consistent Majorities, the Republican Party of Maine during the Civil War Era that was written after his doctoral thesis. Outside of his work, he was on the membership committee for the Southern Historical Association from 1980-1981, a national judge for the American History Scholarship Award given by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 1981 and 1982. In addition, he was also an academic trustee in the Oklahoma Foundation for the Humanities from 1984 until his death on June 29th, 1990.

Contact the archivist for more information or to access the collection.