A lifetime of scholarly work by one of the University鈥檚 most preeminent political science professors is now available to researchers across the world. For the first time, the papers of Richard Fenno, Jr., Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science, are easily accessible through a new web portal: .
Fenno is most recognized for his pioneering work on the U.S. Congress and its members.聽His research focuses on the lives of political figures when they are outside of Washington and back at home. Fenno joined the 人妻少妇专区鈥檚 Department of Political Science in 1957. In 2007, he marked his fiftieth year of teaching at the 人妻少妇专区 by donating his faculty papers to the Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation in Rush Rhees Library. The nearly 80 boxes of scholarly materials now available in digital form include 16 books, interviews and oral history transcripts with members of Congress, and memorabilia from decades of travel and award-winning research. Forty-five previously unpublished talks and lectures have also been made public.
鈥淧rofessor Fenno鈥檚 contributions to the University community and the field of political science have been exceptional,鈥� said Mary Ann Mavrinac, vice provost and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the River 人妻少妇专区 Libraries. 鈥淲e are honored to preserve and share the work of his illustrious career.鈥�
Fenno, who celebrated his 88th birthday on December 12, viewed the website and a related exhibition of his work during a reception in the Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation on December 15.
鈥淚t amazes me in a way I simply cannot imagine,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I walked in, I was flabbergasted. I鈥檝e known that they鈥檝e been going through my materials for some years, and I had no idea what they were doing. I think this is so well done.鈥�
The project is a collaboration between the River 人妻少妇专区 Libraries; AuthorBytes.com, a Massachusetts-based web design firm founded by Steve Bennett 鈥�73; and Robert Sachs 鈥�70. Sachs was one of the first 人妻少妇专区 undergraduates to participate in the created by Fenno in 1968.
鈥淚 cannot say that I fully appreciated the breadth or depth of Professor Fenno鈥檚 research and scholarship until I got involved in this project several months ago,鈥� Sachs said.
Fenno was named Distinguished University Professor in 1985. He has served as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as chairman of the Selection Committee and Advisory Committee for the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Program, and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1976. The Richard F. Fenno, Jr. Seminar Room in Harkness Hall was dedicated in 2005 in honor of his service to the University.
The are maintained and made accessible by the River 人妻少妇专区 Libraries Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation at Rush Rhees Library.
