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Personal Papers of John A. Burzle

 Collection
Call Number: PP 547

Overview

John A. Burzle was a German professor at the University of Kansas, serving from 1945 until his retirement in 1976. This collection includes academic resources, correspondence, newspaper clippings, programs, various publications, and photographs related to his work and to his personal life. Also in the collection is information about international student orientation and study abroad programs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1920 - 2002

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials in English and in German.

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of John Burzle

John Anthony ("Toni") Burzle was born on May 20, 1908 in Munich, Germany. He obtained a Ph.D. in German from the University of Munich in 1932. Burzle married Muriel Wittmann in 1935, and thereafter they moved to Canada, where Burzle taught for 10 years at the University of Manitoba.

In 1945 Burzle accepted a position as assistant professor of German at the University of Kansas, and within two years he became chair of the department. During the two decades of his leadership he accomplished many things, including the initiation of summer language institutes for KU students to study foreign languages while immersed in a foreign culture.

Burzle was also a consultant for the Institute of International Education; the Council on International Educational Exchange; Inter Nationes; and the Austro-American Institute of Education.

John A. Burzle remained active with academics until his retirement from the University of Kansas in 1976. He passed away in 1998, the year after his wife Muriel passed away.

Extent

10.25 Linear Feet (11 boxes + 2 oversize boxes)

Scope and Contents

The collection has been organized into several series. Materials related to Burzle's professional career include Publications, including newspaper clippings and some reference material, as well as copies of some items written by Burzle; materials about the University of Kansas' German department and about KU generally; Study Abroad materials, including materials from and related to the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD, or German Academic Exchange Service) and information about KU's study abroad and other study abroad opportunities; Burzle's own teaching material; and materials related to the Society for German-American Studies (S.G.A.S.) and the Kansas Modern Language Association (K.M.L.A.), including particularly from Burzle's stint as editor for the S.G.A.S.

The collection also includes extensive personal and professional correspondence, as well as personal materials from Burzle's childhood through death and related to his wife Muriel. There are a significant number of photographs and slides in the collection reflecting Burzle's personal and professional life, including his family, ancestors, and the KU German Department, as well as awards and other items recognizing Burzle's achievements.

Oversize materials have been physically separated and are described at the end of this finding aid.

Physical Location

PP 547

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, Anselm Huelsbergen, 2013.

Related Materials

Personal papers of Helmut Huelsbergen, PP 555, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries.

Consult library staff regarding the availability of related photographs, biographical files, and scrapbooks.

Separated Materials

German Weimar Republic-era money, a 1972 thank you plaque to Burzle, a Leavenworth Lamp presented by the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1975, and a federal Cross of Merit (Das Bundesverdienstkreuz) on ribbon from the German government transferred to the University of Kansas' University Archives to be kept with other artifacts.

Fulbright Alumni Association. Directory. White Plains, Ny: B.C. Harris Publishing Company, 1989. Located at Spencer Research Library at RH Ser C1440.

Gullahorn, John T. and Jeanne E. Gullahorn. American Students in France. Lawrence, Ks: University of Kansas, 1956. Located at Spencer Research Library at Ua D487.

Title
Guide to the John A. Burzle Collection
Subtitle
Personal Papers of John A. Burzle
Author
Finding aid prepared by if, 2014. Finding aid revised by lc, 2017.
Date
2017-04
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English and German.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/2116040980
Preferred citation
Personal Papers of John A. Burzle, PP 547, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334