Kinchen, Oscar A 1973

Dr. Kinchen, a retired Texas Tech history professor, discusses his early life and education and his lengthy teaching career at Texas Tech. He concludes with a discussion on his interest in Canadian and Confederate history and diplomatic relations between the two during the Civil War, including books he as written on those subjects.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Oscar A. Kinchen

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: March 13 and 20, 1973

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Jeff Townsend

Length: 1 hour, 25 minutes (total)

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Biographical information related, Parents’ families from Mississippi and Tennessee, Educated in small rural schools, Moved to Oklahoma (1905), First taught in small rural schools, Completion of teaching certificates described, Obtained college degree from University of Oklahoma, Graduate work done at Stanford University, Took courses in Far Eastern history, Thoughts on World War I expressed, Taught at Oklahoma City University and Butler University, Circumstances leading to coming to Texas Tech explained, Trip to England to research for thesis described, Teaching career at Tech discussed, Had to take leave of absence during Depression, Mentions Dr. John Granbery’s dismissal from Tech, Dr. W. Curry Holden’s administration of the History Department characterized, Sociology, anthropology and philosophy formerly included in History Department, Recollections of Dr. Paul Horn, Horn’s plan of the campus outlined, Availability of books and textbooks in the 1930s.

Tape 1, Side 2: Texas Tech (continued), General faculty meetings formerly held, Explains faculty opinion of the governors Ferguson, First dorms for Tech students were privately owned, Early businesses on College Avenue mentioned, First students commuted to campus, Greek fraternities originally barred, Early student clubs named, Sold warrants at a discount during the Depression, Issued by University of Iowa and University of Texas, Texas Tech (continued), Dr. Holden’s Yaqui expedition recalled, Growth of the library discussed, Recollections of Dr. Clifford B. Jones, Married in 1942, Religious background reviewed, Early member of Lubbock’s Unitarian Church, Parents were Free Will Baptists, Texas Tech (continued), Traces growth and change in teaching staff, Graduate work done at University of Iowa and University of Chicago, Texas Tech (continued), Changes in student body noted, Students brought to campus by World War II.

Tape 2, Side 1: Teaching career at Texas Tech (continued), Recollections of Tech presidents and administrations, Early Tech social clubs described, Introduction of six-hour history requirement, Dismissal of three professors by Board, Dr. Byron Abernethy’s book on Civil War, Dr. Per Stensland’s adult education program, Taught in adult education program in Dakota, Texas Tech (continued), Effect of Tech’s admission to Southwest Conference, Names professors who attended his classes, Outstanding students recalled, Gives advice to doctoral students today, Expresses interest in Canadian history, Studied the British North American colonies, Cites his books on the subject, Books written concerning the Confederacy listed, Women Who Spied for the Blue and Gray discussed.

Tape 2, Side 2: Discussion of Kinchen’s latest book (continued)

Range Dates: 1905-1973

Bulk Dates: 1925-1973

Access Information

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Transcript:

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