Title

Biographical Note and Scope and Content Note

Books

Special Collections

BENJAMIN FINE COLLECTION,
1947-1975

MSG# 5

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE AND
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

Benjamin Fine was born on September 1, 1905 in Attleboro, Massachusetts and spent his youth in the Massachusetts/ Rhode Island area. In 1928 he received a B.S. degree from Rhode Island State College. In 1933, Fine earned a Master of Science degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Two years later, he earned an M.A. degree and in 1941 a Ph.D., both from Columbia.

In 1938 Fine began his career as an Education reporter for the New York Times and in 1941 he was named Education Editor. He held this position for 17 years, resigning in 1958 to become the Dean of Yeshiva University's Graduate School of Education. In 1960 he resigned from this position and in 1962 was appointed Headmaster of Sands Point (Long Island) Country Day School, which post he held until 1971. In 1971 he left to found the Horizon School for Gifted Children in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Fine retired from the Horizon School in 1974, still retaining his position as Education Editor for the North American Newspaper Alliance, a position which he had held since resigning from the New York Times in 1958.

On May 16, 1975, Benjamin Fine died of a heart attack in Puson, South Korea, while on vacation.

Fine was awarded citations and plaques throughout his life from numerous groups, including the American College Public Relations Association (1941), the New York State Board of Regents and the National Education Association (1946), and the New York State Teacher's Association (1948). His honorary degrees were awarded by Bryant College, Rhode Island State College, Yeshiva University, and the University of Toledo. Union College and Florida State University named buildings after him.

Fine was a member of the Society of American Historians, the New York Academy of Public Education, Sigma Delta Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Masons.

Fine was a prolific and well-known writer in the field of education, authoring many books and countless articles. In 1944 his series of articles written for the New York Times on the teaching of American history in high schools and colleges won the Pulitzer Prize "for the most distinguished and meritorious public service rendered by an American newspaper during the year."

This collection consists of materials obtained from the files of Nannine Joseph, Benjamin Fine's literary agent, pertaining to Fine's writings. Included in the collection are copies of Fine's contracts with various publishers, submission cards for his works, and correspondence between Fine, Joseph, and other parties relating directly to Fine's writings and royalty payments. Also included in this collection, but located separately are file copies of several of his books. A list of these titles follows in Books.

See also:  Samuel Fine Oral History