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Frederic C. Lane papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0381

Scope and Contents note

The papers of historian, Frederic C. Lane, primarily span the years 1943-1984 during which he was teaching at Johns Hopkins and conducting extensive research for his writings on the history of Venice in the 14th and 15th centuries. There are some materials dating from 2001.

The papers include Lane's holographic notes for lectures, journal articles, texts, and some annotated typescript for published items. Included also is extensive correspondence with students and colleagues. There are no personal items in the collection. The papers are almost entirely related to Lane's scholarly interest in the economic history of Venice and other city-states during the period of the Renaissance.

Dates

  • Creation: 1943-1985, 2001

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Access to the collection is unrestricted with the exception of Boxes 9 and 10. Boxes 9 and 10 will be closed until the year 2021.

Conditions Governing Use note

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Special Collections department. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Biographical/Historical note

Frederic Chapin Lane was a professor of history at Johns Hopkins and a leading scholar of the Italian Renaissance. Lane was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1900 and spent much of his early life in the Boston area where his father was a member of the faculty of Tufts University. Lane was a graduate of Cornell University, held a master's degree from Tufts, and received the Ph.D. degree from Harvard University. He came to Hopkins in 1928 as an instructor in the Department of History. He was promoted to full professor in 1946 and served as chairman of the department from 1960 until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1964. At Hopkins, his classes included "Italy During the Renaissance," "Economic Development in Oceanic Expansion," and "Economic Development in the Later Middle Ages." Lane placed great emphasis on his role as teacher and believed it important to remain in touch with students' reactions and ideas. He was honored by his students and colleagues in 1964 when they cooperated in the publication of a collection of his papers entitled Venice and History. When he retired to his family home in Massachusetts to continue his writing and research, he did not give up the classroom. He agreed to lecture one day a week at Brandeis University which he did until 1970.

Lane's primary field of research was the economic history of Venice and other city-states of the Italian Renaissance. Lane traveled regularly to Venice where he researched the papers of ducal families and mercantile houses of Renaissance Venice. His published works include Venetian Ships and Shipbuilders of the Renaissance (1934); Andrea Barbarigo, a Merchant of Venice (1944); Venice, A Maritime Republic (1973); and Money and Banking in Medieval and Renaissance Venice (1985).

Frederic C. Lane died in Westminster, Massachusetts, October 14, 1984.

Extent

17.78 Cubic Feet (13 record center cartons, 4 letter size document boxes, 1 over-sized folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Frederic Chapin Lane was a professor of history at Johns Hopkins and a leading scholar of the Italian Renaissance. The papers span the years 1943-1984 during which he was teaching at Johns Hopkins and conducting extensive research for his writings on the history of Venice in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Arrangement note

The collection has been artificially arranged into four series. The first three -- Lecture Notes, Correspondence, and Research -- and their arrangement follows closely the manner in which Lane grouped his files. Subject headings assigned by him have been retained. The fourth series contains records of a 2001 conference session given on Lane's life and work.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

The collection was given to the University by Professor Lane's son, George M. Lane, October, 1995. The materials in Series 4 were donated by panel organizer Benjamin G. Kohl.

Accruals note

The Accession Number is 1995-96.ms.005. An addition to the papers was made in 2006; the accession number is 2005-06.ms.044.

Related Archival Materials note

There are two collections in Special Collections which further describe Frederic C. Lane's work in the field of history. Lane Venetian Account Books (MS 155) consists of microfilms of Italian mercantile records (1416-1535) and a typescript entitled "Translation of Selected Ordinances on Banking." The Benjamin G. Kohl Letters (MS 384) is formed by a series of letters written by Lane to one of his students, Benjamin G. Kohl.

Processing Information note

Processed in June 1996 by Joan Grattan.

Title
Frederic C. Lane papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA