This collection consists of correspondence, writings, and a few speeches and lectures. Most of the material is related to Fries's philosophical interests; there is almost nothing related to his personal or family life. The papers are arranged in five series: Correspondence, Writings, Speeches and Lectures, Wisconsin State Government In-Service Training Program, and Vanguard.
CORRESPONDENCE (1921-1951) is divided into two parts as Fries himself had filed it. The first and larger part, correspondence with friends and colleagues, consists primarily of discussions about philosophical ideas and critiques of friends' and colleagues' articles and books. Correspondents include John Dewey, Clarence A. Dykstra, Sydney Hook, Governor Philip La Follette, David Lilienthal, Max Otto, and other well-known University of Wisconsin professors and administrators. There is one autographed letter from Albert Einstein. The correspondence with friends is arranged alphabetically by surname except those letters which contain first names only and which have been arranged alphabetically by first name and filed after the surnames. The “professional” correspondence has generally been kept in its original order which consisted of an alphabetical file usually arranged by the name of a firm or an institution but also by surname in some cases. A large portion of it consists of correspondence with publishing firms and universities but also includes some with Edwin B. Fred, Dean of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School.
The WRITINGS series (1923-1951) is divided into three categories. The first contains Fries's published and unpublished writings and correspondence with publishers. The arrangement is alphabetical by title with the correspondence related to each title immediately following. The second category consists of a small amount of material which Fries labeled “literary” works and which are arranged alphabetically by title. The third section is book reviews which are arranged by year of publication. Fries's chronological bibliography (in box 4, folder 1) provides a list of most of his reviews. Appendix I to this finding aid provides a list of the writings in this series.
The SPEECHES AND LECTURES series (1933-1941) is arranged alphabetically by title of speech or lecture. It includes speeches before the Parent-Teachers Association of Fort Atkinson, the Farmer-Labor and Progressive League, student groups, and unidentified organizations. The series does not appear to include classroom lectures. Appendix II to this finding aid provides a list of the speeches and lectures in this series.
The WISCONSIN STATE GOVERNMENT IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM series (1936-1940) consists of correspondence arranged alphabetically and an alphabetical subject file. Included are papers related to the selection of students for the program, students' reports on their experiences in the program, a published report by Fries that explains the purpose of the program, and papers concerning publicity.
The VANGUARD series (1943-1944) consists of papers related to a campus, non-denominational, religious group referred to as “an experiment in religion.” Included is a mailing list, summaries of meetings, statement of principles and goals, and student papers expounding on this “naturalistic” religion. The arrangement is alphabetical by subject.
