Charles L. Sewrey Papers

1.68 linear feet (4 document cases)

This collection documents the academic, intellectual, and scholarly pursuits of Dr. Charles L. Sewrey, professor of history at South Dakota State University. The materials span from 1862 to 1973 and are composed of collected publications, correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, and published articles primarily related to Sewrey's research interests in anti-Catholicism, American religious and political culture, and frontier life in Minnesota.

The collected material includes newspaper clippings, pamphlets, Socialist Party literature from the 1960s, and an 1862 volume of Aurora Leigh and Other Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Also present is a significant file on the Steven Truscott case (1966–1969), which explored the wrongful conviction of a Canadian youth. These materials were likely used in support of research and teaching.

The general materials consist of correspondence, course notes, and exams from Sewrey’s history courses, as well as miscellaneous ephemera including photographs and a map depicting the Lake District near Alexandria, Minnesota.

The manuscripts form the core of the collection and reflect Sewrey’s research into anti-Catholicism and religious controversy in American history. Notable among these is his master’s thesis, The Protestant Minister in Frontier Minnesota, written in 1946, which is represented in multiple chapters and outlines both the private and public life of religious leaders on the Minnesota frontier. Additional manuscripts examine topics such as Cold War foreign policy, sectarianism on the frontier, U.S. religion and morality, and the development of land grant colleges. A substantial portion of the manuscripts consists of an extensive, untitled book-length work covering the historical origins, controversies, and social implications of anti-Catholic thought in the United States.

The published works (1945–1973) include academic journal articles, book reviews, and newspaper opinion pieces authored by Sewrey. Prominent among them are articles in The Christian Century, Journal of Church and State, and The Unicorn. Several of these writings focus on anti-Catholic rhetoric, communism, political philosophy, and civic education. The collection also includes transcripts of two broadcasts from Sewrey’s appearances on Professor’s Forum, a program aired by the South Dakota State College radio station.

The Charles L. Sewrey Papers offer insight into the study of anti-Catholic sentiment in American history and the intersection of religion, politics, and public life on the frontier. Sewrey’s research, particularly his analysis of Protestant ministry in Minnesota and his broader writings on religious controversy, contributes to a deeper understanding of sectarian dynamics in the United States. His work engages with key themes in mid-20th-century political thought, moral philosophy, and Cold War-era ideology. In addition, the collection reflects the academic output of a historian actively involved in teaching, public scholarship, and civic discourse at a land-grant institution, making it a valuable resource for scholars exploring American religious and intellectual history, education, and the public role of the historian..

This collection is arranged into series:

• Series 1. Collected material
• Series 2. General papers
• Series 3. Manuscripts
• Series 4. Published works

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Copyright and Use Statement

In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.