Guide to the John W. Burton papers C0006 John W. Burton papers

Guide to the John W. Burton papers C0006

John W. Burton papers


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu

Eron Ackerman

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Identification
C0006
Title
John W. Burton papers 1937 - 1999
Quantity
11 Linear Feet, 22 boxes
Creator
Burton, John W. (John Wear), 1915-2010
Language
English .
Abstract
The John W. Burton papers contain materials from Burton's work in international relations and conflict resolution from the 1940s through the 1990s. It includes correspondence, working papers, notes, news clippings, scholarly publications, workshop and conference material, images, and memorabilia. It also contains materials pertaining to the creation of the George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR).

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation

John W. Burton papers, C0006, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by John Burton and Betty Nathan in 1989-1995.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed in February 2009 by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty. Additional information processed in April 2012 by Michelle Page.


Biographical Note

John W. Burton was born on March 2, 1915 in Melbourne, Australia. He was educated at Newington College, Sydney, the University of Sydney, and the London School of Economics. Burton's early career was marked with academic as well as diplomatic success. He was part of the Australian delegation sent to San Francisco after World War II to set up the United Nations. He became the youngest Permanent Secretary of the Australian Diplomatic Service and was appointed High Commissioner in Ceylon, but resigned to seek elected office.

In 1954 Burton's career focused increasingly on academics. During this time he published his first book on foreign policy titled The Alternative. In 1963, he moved to England to teach at the International Relations Program at University College, London, where the Centre for the Analysis of Conflict was originally set up. Over the next twenty years, Burton published many books on the subject of diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Burton and the original Centre for the Analysis of Conflict moved to the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1979 where he remained until 1981. He then moved to the University of South Carolina where he was awarded an International Studies Association Fellowship. After a brief but productive period at the University of Maryland, Burton was persuaded to join George Mason University to help in the development of a new Centre for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, now known as the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR). Burton then retired to Australia where he continued to write until his death in 2010.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the working papers of John W. Burton, former professor of conflict resolution at George Mason University. The collection documents Burton's work in international relations and conflict resolution from the 1940s through the 1990s. Materials in the collection include correspondence, working papers, notes, news clippings, scholarly publications, workshop and conference material, images, and memorabilia. It also includes materials pertaining to the creation of the George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR).

Series 1, Correspondence, contains various types of correspondence including; letters between Burton and his colleagues from the 1970s and 1980s; communication on his book "Deviance, Terrorism, and War"; coordination with many organizations such as Asia Foundation, Dana McLean Greeley Foundation, Elder Council of India, Jordan Center for Studies and Information, Moldovan Initiative Committee of Management, Organization of American States, United Nations University, University Press of America, and William Flora Hewlett Foundation; as well as correspondence related to George Mason University's School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution and his work regarding Bosnia, Central America, Fiji, Iran, Korea, and the Soviet Union.

Series 2, Conflict Resolution Work, contains relevant documents related to Burton's work as a practitioner in the field of conflict resolution. Includes notes from meetings, observations, frameworks he developed, documents on defining the field, written work related to the broad field of conflict resolution, material on conflict resolution practices, papers regarding his conflict resolution work in certain regions, other work related to the field, information pertaining to the creation of S-CAR, and documents from the University College London's Centre for the Analysis of Conflict. Series 3, Academic Papers, contains relevant journal articles and lengthy papers from Burton's work in academia, most of the works are on his conflict resolution theories, including papers on his human needs theory, documents on the theory of conflict resolution and expanding the debate on generic theory, material on testing Galtung's theory and the central role of theory, and other relevant documents.

Series 4, Conferences, Workshops, Seminars, Discussions, Meetings, Forums, Symposiums, Conventions, contains all relevant documents concerning conferences, workshops, seminars, discussions, meetings, forums, symposiums, conventions, and other mass gatherings. Includes papers presented at mass gatherings, invitation letters to conferences, agendas, concept documents, speeches, workshop materials, conference presentations, correspondences related to the organization of a big gathering, and documents from receptions.

Series 5, Subject Files, Among the documents featured in the series are papers covering topics such as economic policy and taxation, moral and value foundations of multilateralism, disarmament and arms control, juvenile unemployment and delinquency, multi-ethnic societies, national security and regional settlement, neutrality and nonalignment, regionalism, functionalism, restructuring as a political process, world order, and community law; condolence notes, obituraries, memorial serivce program and speeches; curriculum vitae; as well as other written documents that cover other topics related to international relations and conflict resolution. Also included are journals, teaching materials, brochures, and miscellaneous articles and notes on a broad range of topics.

Series 6, News Clippings, Articles, and Images, contains news clippings, articles, and images collected and assembled by Burton.

Series 7, Memorabilia, contains Burton's Doctoral Degree from Macquarie University.

Arrangement

Arranged into seven series.

Series Series 1: Correspondence, 1970-1999 (Box 1-2) Series 2: Conflict Resolution Work, 1960-1999 (Box 2-6) Series 3: Academic Papers, 1940-1999 (Box 7-9) Series 4: Conferences, Workshops, Seminars, Discussions, Meetings, Forums, Symposiums, Conventions, 1963-1999 (Box 10-15) Series 5: Subject Files, 1956-1999 (Box 16-21) Series 6: New Clippings, Articles, and Images, 1960-1999 (Box 22) Series 7: Memorabilia, 1994 (Box 22)

Related Material

The Special Collections Research Center also holds records and publications from the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Significant Places Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series 1: Correspondence
1970s - 1990s
Scope and Content

This series contains various types of correspondence including; letters between Burton and his colleagues from the 1970s and 1980s, coordination with many organizations, and correspondence related to George Mason University's School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution and his work in conflict regions.

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Series 2: Conflict Resolution Work
1960s - 1990s
Scope and Content

This series contains relevant documents related to Burton's work as a practitioner in the field of conflict resolution. Includes notes from meetings, observations, documents related to field of conflict resolution, information pertaining to the creation of S-CAR, and documents from the University College London's Centre for the Analysis of Conflict.

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Series 3: Academic Papers
1940s - 1990s
Scope and Content

This series contains relevant journal articles and lengthy papers from Burton's work in academia, most of the works are on his conflict resolution theories.

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Series 4: Conferences, Workshops, Seminars, Discussions, Meetings, Forums, Symposiums, Conventions
1963 - 1999
Scope and Content

This series contains all relevant documents concerning conferences, workshops, seminars, discussions, meetings, forums, symposiums, conventions, and other mass gatherings. Among the documents featured in the series are papers covering topics such as economic policy and taxation, moral and value foundations of multilateralism, disarmament and arms control, juvenile unemployment and delinquency, multi-ethnic societies, national security and regional settlement, neutrality and nonalignment, regionalism, functionalism, restructuring as a political process, world order, and community law; as well as other written documents that cover other topics related to international relations and conflict resolution. Also included are journals, teaching materials, brochures, and miscellaneous articles and notes on a broad range of topics.

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Series 5: Subject Files
1956 - 1999
Scope and Content

This series contains papers covering thematic topics related to international relations and conflict resolution, as well as journals, teaching materials, brochures, and miscellaneous articles.

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Series 6: News Clippings, Articles, and Images
1960s - 1990s
Scope and Content

This series contains news clippings, articles, and images collected and assembled by Burton.

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Series 7: Memorabilia
1994
Scope and Content

This series contains Burton's Doctoral Degree from Macquarie University

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