Louis Winchester Jones Oral History Interview

Interviewed by Mary Terrall

Abstract

An interview in two sessions, March and April 1978, with L.Winchester Jones, dean of admissions, emeritus, in the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences. He recalls growing up in ranch country, Santa Ynez Mountains, and Montecito. Education at St. Paul’s and Princeton; marriage, early career in New York; move to Pasadena. Decision to go into teaching; interview with Clinton Judy; hired as an instructor in the English department, 1925. Describes the humanities division in the 1920s and influence of William Bennett Munro. Recollections of literary discussions at Judy’s home. Comments on Robert Andrews Millikan and Caltech’s Executive Council; Caltech in World War II; Navy V-12 program; advent of Lee Dubridge as president.

He discusses his work on Freshman Admissions Committee; his gradual move into administration; his work as director of scholarships; his recruiting of students. Describes the growth of humanities division and its change in emphasis from a service to a scholarly division. He concludes with several amusing anecdotes, chiefly concerning astronomer Fritz Zwicky and Albert Einstein.

Access the full archival record

Access a PDF version of the transcript [0.78 MB]

Louis Winchester Jones Oral History Interview, interviewed by Mary Terrall, Caltech Archives Oral History Project, March 24, 1978, April 6, 1978, http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Jones_L.