Overview
The papers of George Eugene Bates, first James R. Williston Professor of Investment Management, cover the period from his graduate education at HBS until his status as emeritus.
Dates
- Creation: 1923-1978
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Materials stored offsite; access requires advance notice. HBS Archives collections require a secondary registration form, please contact specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu for more information.
Extent
11 linear feet (4 boxes, 6 cartons)The records contain correspondence, letters, financial records, minutes and related papers, reports, research and case notes, speeches, books, brochures, clippings, and pamphlets. These records document the origin, organization, development and achievements in a variety of unique Harvard Business School educational offerings. These include the Navy Supply Corps Midshipmen-Officers School (1943-1945), and the joint MBA/Law degree developed by the Yale Law School and HBS (1934-1938).
In addition, the records contain background material relating to case development for Business Policy, Finance, Investment Management and other HBS courses in response to a variety of educational and social trends in the field. Such trends can be seen in the emphases placed on certain strategies and requirements, the types of cases offered, the ever-changing nature of the curriculum, the development of investment formulas, and the various contacts maintained with investment firms and banks throughout the United States.
Of particular note in this collection is the correspondence between William O. Douglas, then a professor at Yale Law School, and George E. Bates regarding the joint Yale/HBS degree offered during the 1930s which chronicle the yearly activities, schedules and recommendations of both schools during this short-lived program as well as articles published jointly on the Security and Exchange Commission. Also of interest are the materials relating to the Ford Foundation's sponsorship of a management training program based in Istanbul, Turkey.
Biographical Note:
George Eugene Bates was born in Kansas City, MO, in 1902, the son of W. Scott and Emyle Louise (Carlat) Bates. He graduated A.B. and A.M. from the University of Missouri in 1923. George E. Bates received his MBA from HBS in 1925 and immediately took a position as Assistant Dean (1925-1927). He began his teaching career as an instructor in Investment Banking (1928-1929), and served as Assistant Professor (1929-1934) and Associate Professor (1934-1939). George E. Bates became Professor of Finance in 1939 and Professor of Business Administration in 1942. His appointment as James R. Williston Professor came in 1954.
In addition to his teaching career at HBS, George E. Bates served as Editor of the Harvard Business Review (1939-1942); Sterling Research Associate (1930-1935), and lecturer in Law (1935-1939) at Yale Law School; Director of Instruction, Navy Supply Corps Midshipmen-Officers School (1942-1945) and Advisory Director and Executive Consultant for Investment Management at the Institute of Business Management in Turkey (1959-1963).
After his retirement in 1965, George E. Bates moved his office to the Fogg Art Museum were he became honorary curator and resident expert on Byzantine coins. His book, Byzantine Coins, was published in 1971. George E. Bates died September 25, 1992.
Series Outline
The collection is arranged in the following series:
- Series I. Professional Correspondence, 1931-1978
- Series II. Teaching Material and Programs, 1930-1945
- Series III. Teaching Material and Courses, 1931-1964
- Series IV. Teaching Material and Case Development, 1930-1965
- Series V. Writing and Research: Articles and Speeches, 1930-1974
- Series VI. Outside Work and Consulting, 1945-1967
- Series VII. Publications, 1923-1965
- Series VIII. Institute of Business Administration, University of Istanbul, 1950-1966
Physical Location
ARCFA
Provenance:
The George Eugene Bates papers were received by Baker Library Special Collections in four installments between 1976-2004.
- Title
- Bates, George Eugene. George Eugene Bates Papers, 1923-1978: A Finding Aid
- Author
- Baker Library
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- bak00293
Repository Details
Part of the Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School Repository
Baker Library Special Collections and Archives holds unique resources that focus on the evolution of business and industry, as well as the records of the Harvard Business School, documenting the institution's development over the last century. These rich and varied collections support research in a diverse range of fields such as business, economic, social and cultural history as well as the history of science and technology.
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