Richard McLeod Papers
Collection
Identifier: 2014-08
Scope and Content Note
The bulk of this collection is comprised of Richard McLeod’s research and draft materials for his
unpublished manuscript, Working With Their Hands: Artisans in Philadelphia 1800-1850. This
manuscript is a revision and expansion of his doctoral thesis, The Philadelphia Artisan 1828-
1850, which was completed in 1971. Working With Their Hands is an analysis of the early
nineteenth century urban artisan and intends to clarify the distinction between the terms “artisan”
and “working class.” McLeod claimed he undertook this study because no major scholarly
monograph existed at the time that explored this sub-group of working people. He anticipated to
combine economic, political, and social history studies into one complete manuscript and placed
his work into the sub-field of “new labor history.”
Included are McLeod’s research materials for Working With Their Hands: Artisans in
Philadelphia 1800-1850, which consist of reference materials, annotated research notes,
directories, bibliographies, drafts, and computer files. The collection also contains his doctoral
thesis, The Philadelphia Artisan 1828-1850 and master’s thesis Development of Superior
Wisconsin as an Industrial and Transportation Center 1854-1900. A small biographical file
includes professional and personal photographs, a resume, obituary and remembrance files, and
donor correspondence.
The records are arranged in 4 series: 1) Working With Their Hands, 2) Research Projects, 3)
Biographical Files, and 4) Computer Files. Series 1 contains five sub-series to distinguish the
various files McLeod created during his research and writing process.
Dates
- 1967 - 2014
Restrictions
This collection is open for research. The computer files are not accessible due to the lack of equipment necessary to read the files.
Reproduction Note
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Shippensburg University
Archives and Special Collections. Contact the archivist for more information.
Administrative History
Richard McLeod was an Associate Professor of History at Shippensburg University from 1969 to
1996. He graduated from West High School in Madison, Wisconsin in 1954 and went on to serve
in the United States Navy as an Electronics Technician from 1954-1957. He received a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin in 1961, a Master of Science
Degree in American History from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1965, and a
Doctorate of Philosophy Degree from the University of Missouri in 1969.
McLeod was awarded a number of research grants and fellowships, including an American
Philosophical Society summer research grant in 1972 and a National Endowment for the
Humanities summer research grant in 1974. He also published many papers in journals and
presented at conferences, such as “History of the Wisconsin and Michigan Railway” and
“Workers and Industrialization in Ante Bellum America.”
An advocate of justice and civil rights, McLeod was active in the local civil rights and anti-war
movements of the 1960’s and early 1970’s. He also emphasized the roles of women and
minorities in his courses at Shippensburg University, where he primarily taught American labor
and military history. Aside from teaching, he loved trains, traveling, and recreation. After
battling a lengthy illness, McLeod passed away on November 22, 2000 in Swaim Health Center
at Green Ridge Village in Newville, PA.
Sources Consulted: “1995-96 Shippensburg University Campus Directory,” Campus Directory
1995-1996, University Archives and Special Collections, Ezra Lehman Memorial Library,
Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA, 26.
Extent
8.92 Linear Feet (16 archival boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
This collection was received by Archives and Special Collections as a
donation from Charles Loucks (a friend of McLeod) in September 2014.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
- Title
- Richard McLeod Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sheila Joy
- Date
- 2015-04
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Shippensburg University Archives & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
Ezra Lehman Memorial Library room 207
Shippensburg University of PA
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg PA 17257
717-477-1123 x3357
specialcollections@ship.edu
Ezra Lehman Memorial Library room 207
Shippensburg University of PA
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg PA 17257
717-477-1123 x3357
specialcollections@ship.edu