The papers of Chester L. Shaver, 1924-1979, mainly document his research efforts and writings related to authors of the Romantic Period, especially William Wordsworth. The materials vary in content according to form, but they are by far the richest part of the collection. Proofs of The Letters of William and Dorothy Wordsworth: The Early Years (frequently referred to as The Early Years) and drafts of other works are included. The bulk of the collection, which consists of photocopies, photographs, genealogies and notes, is organized around six record series: I. Student Years [1924-1937]; II. Academic Teaching Files; III. Talks and Writings (General); IV. Correspondence, Notes and Research Materials Files (General); V. Wordsworth Catalogue Project Files; and, VI. Additional Materials Received.

The correspondence, though meager in some cases, contains letters from such well-known Oberlin College faculty as Philip D. Sherman (1881-1957) and Charles Wager (1869-1939). In addition, letters from Richard Carl (1906-1991, Class of 1928) and Jack Warner (1907-1991, Class of 1929) Schaefer are also included. An original William Wordsworth signature exists in the collection, which was sent to Shaver by a descendant of Wordsworth.

Though Shaver diligently served on college faculty committees, faculty councils and so forth, no materials relating to his service are to be found in his personal papers. Evidence of the role he played in departmental affairs will be found in the faculty council minutes for the English Department.

Shaver's personal life is not well documented. Two travel diaries (n.d., 1937) and a 1928 college daybook (all are modest in research value) say little about his life outside of academia. Some of Shaver's notes, research papers and examination bluebooks while he was a student at Oberlin College constitutes the only other material relating to his pre-teaching years. The research papers, covering topics such as Shakespeare, Chaucer and Wordsworth, documents the early years in his academic career; in some respects, they may even foreshadow Shaver's later academic scholarship.

In series 2 of this collection, are Shaver's lecture notes and class books (restricted access). The lecture notes, on 5 x 8 sheets, are quite extensive and outline every class he taught at Oberlin College. Correspondence from colleagues (1937-1974) from this period is also included.

Two indexes (series 4) and a box of slides (series 2) represent different media in the collection. The indexes were used in his work various research projects, some of which may not have been complete. The slides, documenting Wordsworth and Coleridge, were part of a presentation he used in his classes.

Series I. Student Years, 1924-1937, (0.6 lin. ft.)

Essays from Shaver's Oberlin College years are part of this series. Research papers, class notes, diaries (quite modest in research value) and examination bluebooks show his work as an English major at Oberlin College in the 1920s.

Series II. Academic Teaching Files, 1937-1974, (2.1 lin. ft.)

Contains the correspondence, lecture notes and grades of Chester Shaver while he taught at Oberlin College. In some cases the lecture notes are accompanied by class exercises and exams that were used in his various English literature classes. In addition, the Coleridge and Wordsworth slides were assembled for use in his class. The series is divided in to four subseries: 1. Correspondence (arranged chronologically), 2. Class Books 3. Lecture Notes and 4. Slides.

Series III. Talks and Writings (General), 1927-1979, (2.0 lin. ft.)

Included are copies of articles, talks and reviews written by Shaver as well as a transcription of oral histories interviews he did. Various drafts of The Early Years are also documented here. This series is divided into five subseries: 1. Talks, 2. Book Reviews, 3. Articles, 4. Books and 5. Oral History Interviews.

Series IV. Correspondence, Notes and Research Materials Files (General), 1927-1979, (3.0 lin. ft.)

This series contains correspondence, indexes, maps photocopies, photostats and research materials used by Shaver to write his various articles and books. Several speeches on the Romantics, are also to be found here. The dates on the folders represent when Shaver did the research and not the time period it was taken from. Indexes, which were used for researching various Romantics, are also contained in this group.

Series V. Wordsworth Catalogue Project Files, 1958-1979, (3.5 lin. ft.)

The last series consists of the research materials Shaver created and used for his final project, Wordsworth's Library: A Catalogue (1979, Garland Press). Included are drafts of his work, along with notations as well as galley proofs from the publisher. The research material consists of correspondence, photostats, photocopies and notes. In addition, there is a card catalog documenting his research. The series is divided into two subseries: 1. Drafts and 2. Correspondence, Notes and Research Materials relating to.

Series VI. Additional Materials Received, 1915-16, 1956, n.d.

This series consists of materials received as a late accretion following the death of Alice Shaver in 2003. Included are postcards and photographs depicting May Day, Oberlin Prospect School, and the Oberlin High School Pageant, 1915-16, n.d. Also included are two (2) 33.2 pm phonograph records titled "Portrait of Virginia Woolf," 29 August 1956.

The papers of Chester Linn Shaver were received by the Oberlin College Archives from Chester Shaver on May 27, 1970. Further materials were given by Mrs. Alice Shaver (his wife) in separate lots in 1980, 1983, and 1986. Elizabeth Brinkman assisted with the estate of Alice Shaver and delivered additional materials to the College Archives in 2004.

For related information the researcher is encouraged to consult Chester Shaver's faculty file in the Alumni and Development Records (28/3, Box 72). For material on other English professors consult the papers of Charles H. A. Wager (30/33), Andrew Hoover (30/93), Philip D. Sherman (30/28) and Warren Taylor (30/15).