Citation | Print View
Search Finding Aid
Blossom, Thomas A Guide to the Thomas Blossom Papers RG 17-5B1

A Guide to the Thomas Blossom Papers RG 17-5B1


[logo]

ODU University Archives

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Telephone: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Sonia Yaco

Repository
ODU University Archives
Identification
RG 17-5B1
Title
Thomas Blossom Papers 1925-1977, undated Date acquired: 10/12/1976
URL:
https://archivesguides.lib.odu.edu/repositories/3/resources/182
Quantity
2.00 Linear Feet
Quantity
2 Hollinger documents cases, 1 oversized box boxes
Creator
Blossom, Thomas (1912-1992)
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Dr. Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Dr. Thomas Blossom

Method of Acquisition

Gift.  Accession #A76-57

Biographical or Historical Information

Thomas Blossom was born on February 15, 1912, to Harold H. and Mary Dawson Blossom in Dedham, Massachusetts. His secondary education was at the Boston Latin School (1926-1929) and at the Beacon School in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Blossom received his BA from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1934, his M. A. in 1935 from Columbia University in New York and his Ph.D. from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, in 1956.

Blossom taught history at the secondary level from 1935 to 1940 when he entered the U.S. Navy for the duration of World War II. Blossom served with the Interior Department at Cherokee, North Carolina, as Naval Convoy Liaison Officer for the Atlantic and Mediterranean and with the Naval Separation Center interviewing separatees. From 1946 until 1963 Blossom served as a reserve officer with the U.S. Navy.

From 1946 to 1956 Blossom was assistant and then associate professor of history at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1956 Blossom accepted the position of chairman with the Social Studies department at Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas. In 1958 Blossom became assistant professor of Humanities at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Blossom wrote three books: The Americas (1964), Narino (1967), and a biography of Santander. He was a contributor to the 1972 edition of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia. Blossom also wrote many book reviews and scholarly articles. He was listed in Who's Who Among American Authors and International Who's Who.

Thomas Blossom married the former Mildred Underwood, (1940). They resided in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They had four children: Frances (Mrs. John L. Caughey), Katherine Eleanor, Mary (Mrs. Terry Springle) and Martha (Mrs. James Medeiros). Dr. Blossom died in 1992.

Note written by Sonia Yaco

Scope and Contents

The collection contains material related to the professional life of Thomas Blossom, a professor in the Department of History at Old Dominion University. The collection also contains some genealogy information on Blossom's family. An oral history with Thomas Blossom is available on the Old Dominion University Libraries Digital Collections website.

Arrangement Note

The papers are organized into two series: Series I Personal; and Series II, Professional.

Related Material

Oral Histories in the Perry Library: Dr. Thomas Blossom

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Old Dominion University--Faculty
  • Old Dominion University. Department of History
  • United States. Navy--Officers
  • World War, 1939-1945--Veterans

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Blossom, Thomas (1912-1992)
Back to Top

Container List

Series I
Series I: Personal
1925-1965
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
    Box 1
    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1 Folder 1
      Folder 1: Genealogical Paper on Maternal Grandfather; Jackson Dawson and His Medal
      1925
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Genealogical Paper on Maternal Grandfather; Jackson Dawson and His Medal, 1925, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2 Folder 2
      Folder 2: Military Certificates
      1946-56
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Military Certificates, 1946-56, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3 Folder 3
      Folder 3: Vita: Blossom
      1963
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Vita: Blossom, 1963, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4 Folder 4
      Folder 4: Boston Latin School Catalogue and Related News Clippings
      1965
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Boston Latin School Catalogue and Related News Clippings, 1965, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Back to Top
Series II
Series II: Professional
1935-1975, undated
  • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
    Box 1
    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5 Folder 5
      Folder 5: M.A. Thesis: Congressional Opposition to the World War
      1935
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 5, M.A. Thesis: Congressional Opposition to the World War, 1935, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6 Folder 6
      Folder 6: Paper: Journey of Alvar Nunez Cabeza…
      1947
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 6, Paper: Journey of Alvar Nunez Cabeza…, 1947, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7 Folder 7
      Folder 7: Paper: The South Sea Bubble
      1949
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 7, Paper: The South Sea Bubble, 1949, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 8 Folder 8
      Folder 8: Script: Unto These Hills
      1950
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 8, Script: Unto These Hills, 1950, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 9 Folder 9
      Folder 9: Sermon: Material Progress is Not Enough
      1953
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 9, Sermon: Material Progress is Not Enough, 1953, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 10 Folder 10
      Folder 10: Paper: Antonio Narino
      1953-1958
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 10, Paper: Antonio Narino, 1953-1958, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 11 Folder 11
      Folder 11: Antonio Narino, Notes and Pictures
      1962
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 11, Antonio Narino, Notes and Pictures, 1962, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 12 Folder 12
      Folder 12: University of Florida
      1962-1967
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 12, University of Florida, 1962-1967, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 13 Folder 13
      Folder 13: Paper: Agony and the Ecstasy
      1963
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 13, Paper: Agony and the Ecstasy, 1963, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 14 Folder 14
      Folder 14: Paper: Origin and Development of Pan American Union and the OAS
      1963
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 14, Paper: Origin and Development of Pan American Union and the OAS, 1963, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
    Box 2
    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1 Folder 1
      Folder 1: Cruise on the USS Carver Representing Old Dominion College
      1966
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 1, Cruise on the USS Carver Representing Old Dominion College, 1966, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 2 Folder 2
      Folder 2: Correspondence With HEW concerning International Education Act
      1966
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 2, Correspondence With HEW concerning International Education Act, 1966, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 3 Folder 3
      Folder 3: Correspondence With McGraw Hill Encyclopedia Articles
      1969-1971
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 3, Correspondence With McGraw Hill Encyclopedia Articles, 1969-1971, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 4 Folder 4
      Folder 4: Correspondence, General
      1970-1975
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 4, Correspondence, General, 1970-1975, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 5 Folder 5
      Folder 5: Course Material: History 101/102
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 5, Course Material: History 101/102, undated, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 6 Folder 6
      Folder 6: Course Material: History 302
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 6, Course Material: History 302, undated, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 7 Folder 7
      Folder 7: Course Material: History 371/372
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 7, Course Material: History 371/372, undated, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 8 Folder 8
      Folder 8: Course Material: History 376
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 8, Course Material: History 376, undated, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 9 Folder 9
      Folder 9: Course Material: History 439
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 9, Course Material: History 439, undated, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 10 Folder 10
      Folder 10: Course Material: History 493/494
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 10, Course Material: History 493/494, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 11 Folder 11
      Folder 11: History Department Faculty Minutes
      1973 January 11
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 11, History Department Faculty Minutes, 1973 January 11, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 12 Folder 12
      Folder 12: ODU History Dept. Faculty Info Sheets
      1970-1976
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 12, ODU History Dept. Faculty Info Sheets, 1970-1976, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 13 Folder 13
      Folder 13: Graduate Studies. Elizabeth Blandin--Paper and Materials
      1972
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 13, Graduate Studies. Elizabeth Blandin--Paper and Materials, 1972, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 14 Folder 14
      Folder 14: Radio Talks Material
      1973
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 14, Radio Talks Material, 1973, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 15 Folder 15
      Folder 15: Western Society for the Study of French History--Annual Meeting
      1975
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 15, Western Society for the Study of French History--Annual Meeting, 1975, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 16 Folder 16
      Folder 16: Correspondence
      1975
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 16, Correspondence, 1975, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 17 Folder 17
      Folder 17: PACE--Birdfarm News--USS Kennedy
      1975
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 17, PACE--Birdfarm News--USS Kennedy, 1975, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 18 Folder 18
      Folder 18: PACE--Collision Material.Kennedy--Belknap, Fall 1975
      1975
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 18, PACE--Collision Material.Kennedy--Belknap, Fall 1975, 1975, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 19 Folder 19
      Folder 19: PACE. Correspondence. USS Kennedy
      Fall 1975
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 19, PACE. Correspondence. USS Kennedy, Fall 1975, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 20 Folder 20
      Folder 20: PACE--Casa Materna, Naples, Italy, Summer 1977
      1977
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 20, PACE--Casa Materna, Naples, Italy, Summer 1977, 1977, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 21 Folder 21
      Folder 21: Paper: Latin Americans in Norfolk and Norfolk Ties With Latin America
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 21, Paper: Latin Americans in Norfolk and Norfolk Ties With Latin America, undated, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 3 Oversize Box 3
    Oversize Box 3
    • Mixed Materials Oversize Box: 3 Item 1
      Framed Bachelor of Arts Diploma, Amherst College
      1934
      Preferred Citation

      Framed Bachelor of Arts Diploma, Amherst College, 1934, Oversize Box 3, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials Oversize Box: 3 Item 2
      Do Dull, Dry, Dreary History Textbooks Turn You Off?, Posters Advertising History 396
      undated
      Preferred Citation

      Do Dull, Dry, Dreary History Textbooks Turn You Off?, Posters Advertising History 396, undated, Oversize Box 3, Thomas Blossom Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Back to Top