Oberlin History: Essays And Impressions

by Geoffrey Blodgett

“Geoffrey Blodgett was a much-loved professor and a distinguished scholar of American history who dedicated his entire academic career to Oberlin College and its students. This anthology … of subtle and sophisticated work … illuminates the history of a great college, the intellect of a gifted historian, and the character of an extraordinarily humane and gentle man.” ―From the Foreword by Nancy S. Dye, President, Oberlin College

Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Larkin Tackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter recently committed to attend Oberlin college. This delightful book of essays about Oberlin's history is written by a 40-year Oberlin history professor and graduate. From the college's founding by abolitionist ministers and philanthropists in 1833, to the early decision to admit Black and women students, the relative power of faculty in campus decisions, and the lives of well-known faculty, you get a sense of the college's unique culture and traditions. Among my favorite anecdotes are --
- The roles of Oberlin alumni in Harper's Ferry and other fights (violent and peaceful) for racial justice
- Player Coach John Heisman's contested win by the Oberlin Football Team against Michigan
- Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt traveling alone and overnight on a Greyhound Bus from DC to attend a League of Nations Conference on campus
- The election of a formerly interned Japanese American to become president of the student body
- MLK's commencement speech
- Former Oberlin Basketball Tommie Smith, who famously raised his fist in 1968 on the Olympic podium for racial justice

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Oberlin: The College and the Colony, this book helped to cement the events of the first 50 years of Oberlin's existence, with names of important and influential people. I skipped over essays that focused on particular Presidents of the college, since I was more interested in events that occurred and the history of the architecture. I liked to read about the 60s, lots of protests, and the comparisons of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, portion, where the writer compared how students reacted to specific nouns, people, or events.

[Shernoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

most of us know jack squat about our wondrous alma mater. learn and love. this guy was a hell of a good writer as well, a real old school scholar-gentleman the likes of which we don't see much lately.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad just passed this to me. It is a great collection with great variety. Blodgett's sense of gracious humor shined in the alumni magazine article format. The best professor I never had?, I always wonder. I look forward to reading his article on my boy F.L.O.

[Wordwizard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good! Interesting. I may want to buy it.