James W. Knox was an Allegheny County politician and longtime volunteer with the University of Pittsburgh's Nationality Rooms Program. The Knox papers document his work and involvement with the Nationality Rooms Program, containing records from the Committee for the Irish Classroom, Executive Committee of the Cultural and Educational Awards Foundation, Nationality Council, and the Gaelic Arts Society.
Language
English
.
Author
Cassidee Knott
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Cassidee Knott in April 2019
Acquisition Information
Gift of the Nationality Rooms Program in 1999.
Biographical Note
James W. Knox (1919-2001) had a longstanding relationship with the University of Pittsburgh. As an undergraduate at Pitt, Knox met Ruth Crawford Mitchell and became involved in the Nationality Rooms Program. He was also a career Allegheny County politician.
With the Nationality Rooms Program, Knox served as Chairman for the Irish Room Committee for over 40 years. He also chaired the Nationality Rooms governing body, the Nationality Council, as well as the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the Nationality Rooms Program. He worked constantly toward the improvement of the Nationality Rooms, writing extensively to Helen Clay Frick regarding the Book of Kells stand for the Irish Room. Knox also pushed for the awarding of scholarships to students in honor of members of the Pitt community, such as Chancellor John G. Bowman, Helen Pool Rush, and Ruth Crawford Mitchell. He was key in inviting Gene Kelly back to Pittsburgh to attend a dinner for the Irish Room. Knox also built a cordial relationship with Evelyn Lincoln, secretary to President John F. Kennedy. After the President's assassination, Mrs. Kennedy gave Ms. Lincoln two oval office flags, which she then donated to the Irish Room.
Due to his passion for the Nationality Rooms and the University of Pittsburgh, James Knox was named a University of Pittsburgh Alumnus of Distinction in 1996 and in 2000 was awarded the Nationality Rooms Millennium Award.
While serving as a leader in the Nationality Rooms Program, Knox also had a career in local government, serving as County Controller and Director of both the Allegheny County Housing Authority and Planning Department. Between his various obligations, Knox also found time to participate in other organizations, such as the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, the Pennsylvania Bible Society, and the Gaelic Arts Society, through which he attended various events celebrating Irish culture.
Jim, as he was called, married Valerie O. Weber on Saint Patrick's Day and together they had 3 children. Knox also served in World War II as a Lieutenant Commander during D-Day. Knox died in 2001.
Arrangement
The records in this collection have been arranged by organization or topic as follows:
Series I. Committee for the Irish Classroom
Series II. Executive Committee of the Cultural and Educational Awards Foundation
Series III. Nationality Council
Series IV. Scholarships
Series V. Gaelic Arts Society
Series VI. General
Scope and Contents
The James Knox papers document his work and involvement with the Nationality Rooms Program, containing his papers from the Committee for the Irish Classroom, Executive Committee of the Cultural and Educational Awards Foundation, Nationality Council, and the Gaelic Arts Society. The majority of his papers on the Committee for the Irish Classroom comprise correspondence written by and sent to him personally. Records from his work on the Executive Committee of the Cultural and Educational Awards Foundation are more formal, containing agendas, event information, and correspondence. Similarly, files pertaining to the Nationality Council and Gaelic Arts Society include agendas, event information, correspondence, minutes, and memos. The collection also includes general information about Knox, including his involvement in anniversaries of the University of Pittsburgh and various scholarships at the University, such as the Ruth Crawford Mitchell and Summer Study Abroad Scholarships.
Preferred Citation
James Knox Papers, 1955-1999, UA.91.8, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Related Materials
Gaelic Arts Society of Pittsburgh Records, AIS.1977.22, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Irish Centre of Pittsburgh Records, AIS.1977.25, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Irish Nationality Room Committee Records, 1928-2000, UA.40.12, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Subjects
Corporate Names
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Irish Room Committee -- Administration
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Council -- Administration
Cathedral of Learning (Pittsburgh, Pa.). Irish Room
University of Pittsburgh -- Funds and scholarships -- History
Gaelic Arts Society (Pittsburgh, Pa.) -- Administration
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