Fonds MS-2-249, SF Box 31, Folder 12-13; SF Box 34, Folder 3-7 - Ralph S. Morton fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Ralph S. Morton fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record

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Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

MS-2-249, SF Box 31, Folder 12-13; SF Box 34, Folder 3-7

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

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Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1931-1954, 1978-1980 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

4.5 cm of textual records (7 folders)

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Archival description area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Ralph Sedley Morton was born in 1908 in Bedford, Nova Scotia, to Dr. Angus McDonald and Bessie A. Morton. He was educated at Dalhousie University, where he received his BA (1929) and LLB (1931). Morton was a founding member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity chapter and served as class president, business manager of The Gazette and editor of the yearbook. He was also an active writer, actor and debater.

In 1930 Morton received a one-year scholarship to study journalism at the University of London. His subsequent journalism career took him to Boston, New York and Australia. He became a correspondent for both the Canadian Press and the Associated Press, founded and edited New England’s Canadian News, and established the Dartmouth Free Press, which he operated from 1954-1970s. As its associate editor, he played a pivotal role in the success of Kenneth Leslie’s Protestant Digest. He also authored a number of plays, including My Father was a Doctor, Reunion in Jakarta, and Sam Slick Rides Again, in addition to a book on the Nova Scotia Legislature.

Custodial history

Records were donated to the Archives by Morton in several accessions between 1976-1980.

Scope and content

Fonds consists of Phi Delta Theta records, including programs, budgets, reviews, newspaper clippings and materials related to the fraternity's fiftieth reunion in 1980. There is also Morton's history of the fraternity, miscellaneous correspondence (including some with Kenneth Leslie’s lawyer regarding the Committee on Un-American Activities) and a play written by Morton in the 1930s.

Notes area

Physical condition

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Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script note

English

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

There are no access restrictions on these materials. All materials are open for research.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Materials do not circulate and must be used in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room. Materials may be under copyright. Contact departmental staff for guidance on reproduction.

Finding aids

Associated materials

See also the Kenneth Leslie fonds (MS-2-232).

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Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

General note

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Ralph S. Morton fonds, MS-2-249, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

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