Reviewed: Defining a Discipline: Archival Research and Practice in the Twentieth Century, Essays in Honor of Richard J. Cox, edited by Jeannette A. Bastian and Elizabeth Yakel. Publisher: Society of American Archivists, 2020. Paperback $55.00, 322pp.

Home // April.23.2020 // Henry Berry

In Honor of Richard J. Cox

These eighteen essays reflect the varied facets and dimensions of archives. As those in the field of archives both as curators and dealers (such as this reviewer) know, archives have in recent years become not only more appreciated and sought after, but also come to be understood as unique, incomparable source material. This development which has become more recognized in the scholarly, library, and dealer commercial worlds has been shaped in no small measure by Richard J. Cox, the inspiration for the essays and widely acknowledged leader in the field.

It is not an overstatement to say that Cox uniquely recognized the particular value of archives early in his career. One essay cites him as a leading member of the 1950s generation, beginning his career as a “practicing historian and archivist” at the Maryland Historical Society in 1972 with later similar positions in Alabama, New York, and Pittsburgh.

Cox’s influence on the field was both broad and deep — broad in that it opened up the many sides and considerations of archives and showed that the field was not restricted to scholars, and also deep in that he disclosed unrealized aspects of archival materials and archives’ unacknowledged primacy as “original sources” for knowledge. Cox led the way to understanding that archives were not marginal or supplementary, but were fundamental and central.

While Cox is duly recognized as the influence, reference, and inspiration for the essays, this is limited to the introduction, the chapter on his coming out of the 1950s, and brief reference or mention in some essays. For the most part, the essays honor Cox by taking up topics and aspects of archives so as to show where Cox’s work and teaching has led to. Retrospection is limited. The large part of the content deals with interests that are topical. Essays in the last section, “Theme Four: Memory,” delve into the relevance of archives for African-American and Hispanic studies. Vietnam and information/disinformation are other topics; and there’s even one chapter on the Clinton email scandal. Oral history as preserved in tapes for example comes up repeatedly. The point is made that there is no subject, interest, or study that cannot profit from archives of some type.

The essays are diverse, so that coming upon surprising topics and unexpected information makes each seem inviting and fresh. The level of material is intermediate to advanced. The value of archives is taken for granted. Intermediate readers will enjoy levels of growth with the essays; while with the timeliness of most of the essays and the information-packed, diverse content of them, advanced readers will find stimulating facts and inviting resources. Relatively lengthy chapter bibliographies will open paths for further studies. There’s an eight-page, detailed index. The authors, in some cases co-authors of particular essays, in keeping with the level of the content and awareness of what readers already with considerable knowledge of and experience with archives are interested in, are practicing archivists and librarians from universities.

This Defining a Discipline not only reflects the field of archives as it is in the present moment, but also opens the way to further studies in this field.

This review was first published on the author's personal website, and is reproduced here with his permission. Per his instruction, it may be reprinted in excerpt or whole, without restriction.

Banner graphic source: Photo (cropped) of wood and brass library card catalog drawers, taken by Pixabay contributor vonriesling. Used under license terms: free for commercial use, no attribution required.