By Tricia McEldowney
Title: Daniel S. Dye Papers, 1925-1940
ID: UA/RG-PP/ARCH-005
Primary Creator: Dye, Daniel Sheets
Extent: 0.69 Cubic Feet. More info below.
Arrangement:
The Daniel S. Dye Papers are arranged in two series:
Series 1: Published Articles
Series 2: A Grammar of Chinese Lattice
Subjects: Authors, American--20th century, Education--China--20th century, Educators--China--20th century, Geologists--China--20th century, Geology--China--20th century, Lattice windows -- China, Repetitive patterns (Decorative Arts)--China
Forms of Material: Articles, Illustrations (layout features), Manuscripts (documents), Studies (visual works)
Languages: English
Daniel Sheets Dye was born on February 7, 1884, in New Matamoras, Ohio. He attended Denison University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1907. In 1908, Dye traveled to Chengdu (Chengtu), Szechuan Province in China in response to a call for teachers for the newly formed West China Union University. He spent the time between arriving and the University opening in 1910 to learn Chinese. In 1915, Jane Balderston (born in 1886; a 1908 graduate of Wellesley College) traveled to China with the Friends Foreign Mission Association of Great Britain and Ireland where she met Daniel. The two married in 1919. During furloughs that same year, Daniel and Jane earned master’s degrees, from Cornell University and Columbia University respectively.
During his more than 40 years in China, Dye became interested in early Chinese culture. In particular, he researched Chinese lattice windows. In 1937, Dye published a two-volume study on the topic titled A Grammar of Chinese Lattice. In 1940, Denison University awarded him an honorary doctorate. Dye and his wife returned to the United States permanently in 1949 due to the Communist takeover in China. They found employment as co-directors of the John Woolman Memorial in Mt. Holly, New Jersey before retiring to Colora, Maryland in 1960. Jane died in November 1976, and Daniel Died in September 1977.
Throughout their lives, Daniel and Jane Dye donated their collection of Chinese textiles, porcelains, rubbings, paintings, bronzes, and other artifacts to the Denison Museum at Denison University. As of 2024, these items are still a part of the Museum’s Asian collection.
Authors, American--20th century
Education--China--20th century
Educators--China--20th century
Geologists--China--20th century
Geology--China--20th century
Lattice windows -- China
Repetitive patterns (Decorative Arts)--China
Repository: Denison University Archives
Alternate Extent Statement: (1) 5" legal document box; (1) 2.5" legal document box
Access Restrictions: This collection is available for research but may be used only in the Denison University Archives & Special Collections research room.
Use Restrictions: Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright and are made available for research and educational purposes. While Denison University holds the physical rights for this collection, we may not hold the copyright or reproduction rights. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Denison University Archives & Special Collections is not held liable.
Related Publications:
NA3583.A1 D9 1974 Chinese lattice designs
NA3583 .D9 A grammar of Chinese lattice
NK1483.A1 D9 1981 The new book of Chinese lattice designs
Preferred Citation: Daniel S. Dye Papers, University Archives & Special Collections, Denison University (Granville, Ohio)
Processing Information: Processed by: Tricia McEldowney (2024 December); Finding aid written by: Tricia McEldowney (December 2024)
Arrangement:
Series 1 (Published Articles) is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content:
Series 1 (Published Articles) contains six of Dye's published articles. The articles pertain to Dye's research during his time in China and are on various topics of Chinese culture.
Arrangement:
Series 2 (A Grammar of Chinese Lattice) is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content:
Series 2 (A Grammar of Chinese Lattice) contains illustrations of lattice window designs and a typed manuscript. Many of the illustrations were used in the final publication of Dye's book on the topic.
