This collection comprises the extant professional papers of Spencer C. Olin, founding faculty member, administrator, and professor emeritus of history at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). His papers contain research files related to his book Major Problems in California History, teaching materials for two undergraduate courses titled "California in Modern America" and "Utopian Experiments in American History," research files documenting Orange County, and research files documenting the history of UCI. The papers include photographs, clippings, journal articles, correspondence, and notes.

Spencer Olin is a founding faculty member of the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Department of History and has been a prominent professor and administrator throughout UCI's history. A native Californian, Olin received a B.A. from Pomona College (1958) and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University (1961, 1965). His focus has been on modern American history, particularly California and the West. Over the years, Olin also served UCI in many administrative capacities, including acting vice chancellor for Student Affairs (1965-1966), chair of the Department of History (1977-1982), chair of the Academic Senate (1986-1988), director of the Humanities Core Course (1989-1991), dean of the School of Humanities (1992-1996), and acting Executive Vice Chancellor (1994). In recognition of his dedication and academic excellence, Olin has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Daniel G. Aldrich, Jr. Distinguished Service Award (1991), the Historical Society of Southern California's Martin Ridge Retrospective Award (2001), the UCI Alumni Association Extraordinarius Award (2006), and the UCI Medal (1998), the highest campus honor.

3.4 linear feet (4 boxes)

Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

The collection is open for research. One file of restricted personnel information has been separated and will be open for research in 2073.