Otis Durant Duncan Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1979-002

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains correspondence, articles, biographical sketch, and Ph.D. dissertation by Otis Durant Duncan.

Dates

1937 - 1970

Creator

Duncan, Otis Durant, 1897-1970. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the Oklahoma Open Records Act (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/lawinfo/docs/2006-LibraryLaws-PartE.pdf), and other relevant regulations. Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Oklahoma State University Libraries assumes no responsibility.

Conditions Governing Use

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, Oklahoma State University Archives will provide information about copyright owners and related information. Securing permission to publish or use material is the responsibility of the researcher. Note that unless specifically transferred to Oklahoma State University Libraries, any applicable copyrights may be held by another individual or entity. Copyright for material published by Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College/Oklahoma State University is held by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Biographical Sketch

Otis Durant Duncan taught at Oklahoma A&M College/Oklahoma State University from 1929 to 1964, served as the head of the Sociology Department from 1936 to 1964, and was a pioneer in the field of rural sociology.

Duncan earned his bachelor’s degree from East Texas State (Teachers) College in 1924. He earned an M.S. degree from Texas A & M College in 1926. In the fall of 1926 he began graduate study at the University of Minnesota but was forced to drop out after two years due to family and financial responsibilities. He was hired at Louisiana State University for a year and then accepted his appointment at OAMC. It was not until 1941 that Duncan was able to finish his PhD at Louisiana State.

Duncan established the Department of Sociology and Rural Life in 1936 and served as its head until his retirement. He was known as a great teacher as well as for his research in rural life. His estimated one hundred papers concentrated on the problems of the Southwest and Oklahoma. Duncan was concerned with population change, migration, the life cycle of the family, levels of living, land tenure, rural health and rural policy. In addition to his scholarly publications, Dr. Duncan wrote short stories and newspaper articles.

Extent

1 Linear feet (2 document boxes, 1 slim document box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Arranged into four series.

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog or contact the Oklahoma State University Archives Reference staff.