James R. Overman papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0100

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

Collection of minor correspondence, manuscripts, published writings and miscellaneous research materials of a faculty member at Bowling Green State University between 1914 and 1956. Includes draft and galley versions of A History of Bowling Green State University, 1910-1963

Dates

Creation: 1920-1978

Extent

1.84 Cubic Feet (4 legal size archive boxes)

Creator

Overman, James R. (James Robert), 1888- (Person)

Scope and Contents

Dr. James Robert Overman's collection dates from 1920-1978 with two cubic feet of correspondence, the manuscript he wrote for The History of Bowling Green State University, two journal articles, and copies of nine textbooks titles authored by him for teaching mathematics to elementary and junior high students.

The correspondence and research data folder (1959, 1960, 1967) accompanies the manuscript for The History of Bowling Green State University. Various facts and historic points of interest concerning BGSU and its establishment appear in this file. Maps are included showing the land donated and purchased for the site. Letters discussing the editing and printing of the manuscript are included, a number of them written by Dr. Overman. This record is a most useful resource to anyone interested in BGSU history.

Literary productions include two corrected copies of the manuscript for The History of Bowling Green State University. A corrected galley page is also included. An undated sound recording index belonging to Dr. Overman is also found under literary productions.

A calling hour's guestbook for Dr. Overman's funeral services on May 26, 1978 is included in this collection.

Mathematics textbooks written by Dr. Overman and various co-authors from 1920-1961 comprise one cubic foot of this collection. Included with these are two journal articles written by Dr. Overman on mathematics.

Biographical / Historical

Mathematics professor Dr. James Robert Overman was among the first faculty members hired at Bowling Green State Normal College in 1914 and remained until his retirement forty-two years later in 1956. During his tenure Dr. Overman chaired the Mathematics Department, served as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Dean of Men, and Dean of Faculty. He was the originator and first advisor for the student yearbook, The Key, and was the college's first librarian. He authored over a dozen mathematics textbooks as well as The History of Bowling Green State University.

Dr. Overman was born on April 15, 1888, in Bedford, Indiana. In 1909 he graduated from Indiana University. He was employed as a high school teacher. Dr. Overman would later receive a Masters Degree from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from The University of Michigan.

Dr. Overman held memberships in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Mathematics Society, the Mathematical Association of America, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Sigma.

In 1956 Dr. Overman was given an honorary Doctorate of Science degree at BGSU and the Board of Trustees named the science building "Overman Hall" in his honor. Dr. Overman died at his home in Bowling Green, Ohio on May 24, 1978.

[This biographical data gathered from The Daily Sentinel Tribune obituary for May 25, 1978.]