Leonard Woods Labaree
Encyclopedia
Leonard W. Labaree was a distinguished documentary editor, a professor of history at Yale University
for more than forty years, an historian of Colonial America, and the founding editor of the multivolume publication of the papers of Benjamin Franklin
.
in 1920, after qualifying as a balloon pilot in the U.S. Army Air Service and as a second lieutenant in 1917-1919. He went on Yale University
, where he earned his master's degree in history in 1923 and his Ph.D. in 1926. In 1920, he married Elizabeth Mary Calkins, with whom he had two sons, Arthur C. Labaree and the historian Benjamin Woods Labaree
.
in 1920-22, wile at the same time writing his master's degree thesis on the history of the town: Milford, Connecticut: The Early development of the Town as Shown in its Land Records. While still working for his doctorate under the tutelage of Professor Charles McLean Andrews
at Yale University
with his thesis on Royal Government in America, Labaree was appointed an instructor in history in 1924. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1927 and to Associate Professor in 1938. In 1942, he was named Durfee Professor and served as chairman of Yale's History Department. Then in 1948, he was named Farnham Professor of History at Yale, a chair previously held by his mentor, Charles McLean Andrews. Labaree held the Farnham chair until he retired in 1966. He served as State Historian of Connecticut
, 1941-51. In 1954, he began his work, sponsored jointly by Yale University and the American Philosophical Society
as editor in chief of The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, the first fruit of which was his 1958 book Mr. Franklin. Labaree's exemplary work on the Franklin Papers consolidated his reputation for the highest standards of documentary editing with thoroughness, accuracy, and clarity of explication.
He served on the Council of the Institute of Early American History and Culture, the Secretary of the Navy's Advisory Committee on Naval History, and was a member of the editorial board of the New England Quarterly, succeeding Samuel Eliot Morison
as its chairman. In addition, he was a member of the American Antiquarian Society
, the Colonial Society of Massachusetts
, the Massachusetts Historical Society
, and the American Philosophical Society
.
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
for more than forty years, an historian of Colonial America, and the founding editor of the multivolume publication of the papers of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
.
Early life and education
Leonard W. Labaree was the son of Benjamin Labaree, an American missionary in Persia. He obtained his bachelor's degree at Williams CollegeWilliams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in 1920, after qualifying as a balloon pilot in the U.S. Army Air Service and as a second lieutenant in 1917-1919. He went on Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, where he earned his master's degree in history in 1923 and his Ph.D. in 1926. In 1920, he married Elizabeth Mary Calkins, with whom he had two sons, Arthur C. Labaree and the historian Benjamin Woods Labaree
Benjamin Woods Labaree
Benjamin Woods Labaree is a leading historian of American colonial history and American maritime history. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut.-Early life and education:...
.
Professional career
Labaree taught history at Milford School, Milford, ConnecticutMilford, Connecticut
Milford is a coastal city in southwestern New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located between Bridgeport and New Haven. The population was 52,759 at the 2010 census...
in 1920-22, wile at the same time writing his master's degree thesis on the history of the town: Milford, Connecticut: The Early development of the Town as Shown in its Land Records. While still working for his doctorate under the tutelage of Professor Charles McLean Andrews
Charles McLean Andrews
Charles McLean Andrews was one of the most distinguished American historians of his time and widely recognized as a leading authority on American colonial history...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
with his thesis on Royal Government in America, Labaree was appointed an instructor in history in 1924. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1927 and to Associate Professor in 1938. In 1942, he was named Durfee Professor and served as chairman of Yale's History Department. Then in 1948, he was named Farnham Professor of History at Yale, a chair previously held by his mentor, Charles McLean Andrews. Labaree held the Farnham chair until he retired in 1966. He served as State Historian of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, 1941-51. In 1954, he began his work, sponsored jointly by Yale University and the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
as editor in chief of The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, the first fruit of which was his 1958 book Mr. Franklin. Labaree's exemplary work on the Franklin Papers consolidated his reputation for the highest standards of documentary editing with thoroughness, accuracy, and clarity of explication.
He served on the Council of the Institute of Early American History and Culture, the Secretary of the Navy's Advisory Committee on Naval History, and was a member of the editorial board of the New England Quarterly, succeeding Samuel Eliot Morison
Samuel Eliot Morison
Samuel Eliot Morison, Rear Admiral, United States Naval Reserve was an American historian noted for his works of maritime history that were both authoritative and highly readable. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1912, and taught history at the university for 40 years...
as its chairman. In addition, he was a member of the American Antiquarian Society
American Antiquarian Society
The American Antiquarian Society , located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is both a learned society and national research library of pre-twentieth century American History and culture. Its main building, known also as Antiquarian Hall, is a U.S. National Historic Landmark...
, the Colonial Society of Massachusetts
Colonial Society of Massachusetts
The Colonial Society of Massachusetts is a US non-profit educational foundation, founded in 1892, and established for the study of the history of Massachusetts. The period of study is from its settlement through the early nineteenth century. It is a member of the New England Regional Fellowship...
, the Massachusetts Historical Society
Massachusetts Historical Society
The Massachusetts Historical Society is a major historical archive specializing in early American, Massachusetts, and New England history...
, and the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
.
Awards
- Justin Winsor Prize of the American Historical AssociationAmerican Historical AssociationThe American Historical Association is the oldest and largest society of historians and professors of history in the United States. Founded in 1884, the association promotes historical studies, the teaching of history, and the preservation of and access to historical materials...
, 1930.
- Honorary Litt. D., Williams CollegeWilliams CollegeWilliams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
, 1955, Bucknell UniversityBucknell UniversityBucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
, 1955; Franklin CollegeFranklin College (New Athens, Ohio)Franklin College was a college in New Athens, Ohio, founded by abolitionist John Walker, a Presbyterian minister. The college was called Alma college from 1818 until 1825, when the name was changed to Franklin College. The college ceased operation in 1919, and became associated with Muskingum...
, 1956; Franklin and Marshall College, 1956; Dickinson CollegeDickinson CollegeDickinson College is a private, residential liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Originally established as a Grammar School in 1773, Dickinson was chartered September 9, 1783, five days after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, making it the first college to be founded in the newly...
, 1963, and Lehigh UniversityLehigh UniversityLehigh University is a private, co-educational university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the United States. It was established in 1865 by Asa Packer as a four-year technical school, but has grown to include studies in a wide variety of disciplines...
, 1970.
- Gold Medal of the International Benjamin Franklin Society, 1961.
- He was Anson G. Phelps lecturer, New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, 1947.
Published works
- Royal government in America; a study of the British colonial system before 1783, 1930
- Yale Historical Publications, general editor for forty volumes, 1933–1936
- Royal instructions to British colonial governors, 1670-1776, 1935
- Records of the State of Connecticut, 1782-1796, volumes IV-VIII
- Conservatism in early American history, 1948
- Mr. Franklin, a selection from his personal letters. Edited by Leonard W. Labaree and Whitfield J. Bell, Jr., 1958
- The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, editor in chief for eighteen volumes, 1959–74