George W. Traub Collection of Thomas G. Savage Papers
Scope and Contents
The George W. Traub Collection of Thomas G. Savage Papers (1926-1991) contains the personal and faculty papers of Thomas G. Savage, SJ, that were entrusted to George W. Traub, SJ, upon Savage’s death in 1975 as well as correspondence created by Traub regarding Savage’s death and the establishment of the Thomas Savage scholarship at Xavier University. Notes written by Traub regarding the content and organization of Savage’s papers are found scattered throughout the collection.
The papers contain biographical information, including birth, education, and death records of Thomas G. Savage, SJ; holy cards commemorating his ordination and other milestones; personal correspondence sent to and from Savage; and photographs. Series 2 (1965-1975), Faculty papers, includes teaching evaluations of Savage and teaching awards and award applications, as well as course materials for English 131: Survey of British Poetry created by Savage and Joe Wessling. It also has letters of support that Savage wrote for conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War. The series contains a draft of "Rationale of Xavier University's Jesuits (First Draft) written by Savage on October 18, 1975 and a faculty employment agreement for associate professors and professors. Series 3, Addresses and homilies, contains scripts and preparatory materials for speeches Savage gave to various Catholic organizations, societies, and schools. It also has essays, talks, and homilies written and given by Savage. Many of these were given at Bellarmine Chapel on the campus of Xavier University and St. Mary of the Woods. The series also has notes for Spiritual Exercises retreats. Series 4, Publications, contains manuscripts, correspondence, and reviews of Savage’s book Now a Word from Our Creator as well as several articles. Series 5, audio recordings, contains recordings of a homily (1969), a lecture (1970), and a panel discussion (1971).
Dates
- Creation: 1926-1991
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1969 - 1975
Conditions Governing Access
The majority of the collection is open for research use although select folders have been restricted for privacy and confidentiality reasons. Researchers must view materials in the University Archives and Special Collections Research Room by appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Donor transferred any applicable copyright to Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Copyright law of the United States governs the reproduction of copyrighted material. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.
Biographical Note
Thomas Bohan Gerard Savage, SJ, was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1926. He was given the middle name “Bohan” but later changed it to “Gerard” for Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ. One of three siblings, Savage grew up in Chicago and attended St. Ignatius High School. Upon his graduation in 1944, he entered the Milford (Ohio) Jesuit Novitiate. From 1948-1951, he studied philosophy and theology at West Baden College in West Baden Springs, Indiana (a Jesuit college). As a Jesuit scholastic, he taught at St. Xavier High School. He was ordained a priest in 1957, did his tertianship under Fr. Paul Kennedy at St. Beuno’s in Wales and professed his final vows in 1961. He received his master's in English language and literature from Oxford University in 1962 and was then assigned to teach in the English department at Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio). He joined the faculty in 1962, served as chair of the English department from 1965-1971, and co-chaired the department with Joe Wessling from 1971-1975. He taught courses on poetry. During his career, he also served as moderator for the student newspaper (Xavier News) and served on its publications committee, and lived in Brockman Hall. In fall 1970, he spent a semester at the University of Mississippi doing pastoral work and part-time teaching. He published And Now a Word from Our Creator with Loyola University Press in 1972, and was appointment as confessor at Mercy Center in Cincinnati that same year. Fr. Savage, SJ, died November 17, 1975 after complications from surgery. At the time of his death, it appears he was working on another publication. This sketch was written using information found int he biographical information available in Series 1 of this collection.
Extent
1.2 Cubic Feet (3 manuscript boxes and 3 audio recordings)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into fiveseries: Series 1, biographical information; Series 2, faculty papers; Series 3: addresses and homilies; Series 4, publications; and Series 5, Audio recordings. Within each series, materials are generally arranged in chronological order.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are fulfilled by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required may be several months and there will be financial costs associated with the process.
As of spring 2024, the three recordings in this collection are unavailable for research use as they are undergoing digitization.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of George W. Traub, SJ, 1980
Subject
- Savage, Thomas G., 1926-1975 (Person)
- Title
- George W. Traub Colleciton of Thomas G. Savage Papers
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- UASC Staff
- Date
- 2024-03-01
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives and Special Collections, Xavier University Library Repository