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Name: Susan E. Davis
Title: Associate Teaching Professor
Institution: Drexel University
Years in Profession: 38
Title of Influential American Archivist Article: "The Archival Edge"
Author(s) of Article: F. Gerald Ham
Volume and Date: 38:1 (Winter 1975)
How has this article influenced you as an archivist?
I became a professional archivist the year this article appeared, although I had put in a few years of student slave labor before that time. Jerry Ham was my professor, boss, and mentor, and I have proudly claimed to be "one of Jerry's kids" ever since. Jerry practiced what he preached, and the Wisconsin Historical Society was a leading archival repository in many ways - including attention to social action and civil rights, collecting beyond "great white men" earlier than most. I did not appreciate the contribution made by Jerry and that article until years later.
These days I am an archival educator and assign "The Archival Edge" to my students, as do many of my colleagues. The article continues to resonate with aspiring archivists today, and is still frequently cited in the literature. His exhortation to the profession, to become "activist archivists" is as critical now as it was then. I am reminded of Jerry's words when I listen to discussion about the power of archives and about archival values.
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“The Archival Edge” by F. Gerald Ham highlights the evolving role of archivists in shaping historical understanding. Ham emphasizes the importance of professional responsibility, context, and accessibility in preserving records. His insights remind readers that archives are living entities reflecting society’s values. For deeper reflection on archival practice, one may explore through an essays world https://essaysworld.net/ help on this topic.
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