William Yerington Papers, 1919-1971

Summary

Creator:
Yerington, William.
Abstract:
The William Yerington Papers contain his writings, correspondence, writings by others, printed materials, and a photograph.
Extent:
3 Boxes (1.25 linear foot)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

William Yerington Papers,

Background

Scope and content:

The William Yerington Papers contain his writings, both published and not published, writings by others which he collected over the years, and printed materials pertaining to his interest in poetry and what would later be seen as Unitarian Universalist ideologies. The collection also contains correspondence, evidence of his time spent at May Memorial Unitarian Church in Syracuse, New York, a photograph, and a program for a memorial service held for him by Syracuse University.

Biographical / historical:

William Yerington was born in St. Louis, Michigan on April 20, 1879. Yerington studied at Michigan Teachers College and earned his Bachelor of Philosophy from Creighton University in 1918. He spent two years as a pastor at the Unitarian Church at Kalamazoo, Michigan before being hired by the English Department at Syracuse University in 1919. Yerington earned his M.A. from Syracuse University in 1920, specializing in 19th century English literature. He was a big proponent of Emersonian transcendentalism, and wrote many essays and poems on the subject. In the 30 years that Yerington spent as a professor at Syracuse University, he published two works: East Windows(1926), a book of poems, and Emerson and Beyond(1929), a collection of essays. Another book of his works titled Shapings of the Passion for Life Essays and Poems was published posthumously in 1971. Yerington was promoted to Associate Professor in 1936 and earned the title of Professor Emeritus after his retirement from the University in 1948.

William Yerington died on November 1, 1967 in Syracuse, New York.

Acquisition information:
The William Yerington Papers were donated to the Syracuse University Archives in two parts. The May Memorial Unitarian Church donated a portion through Dr. Jean Simpson on March 3, 1972, and Mrs. Kathleen Yerington, his wife, donated the rest of the materials on December 15, 1977.
Processing information:

Materials were rehoused in acid-free folders.

Arrangement:

The items are arranged in alphabetical order.

Accruals:

## OPT (MARC 584)

Access and use

Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

William Yerington Papers,

Location of this collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Bird Library, Room 600
Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
315.443.2697
scrc@syr.edu