Margaret Cross Norton
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Society of American Archivists 473 Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/47/4/473/2747221/aarc_47_4_w5g4968253h12580.pdf by guest on 23 September 2021 Margaret Cross Norton Margaret Cross Norton was a founding the Illinois State Archives in 1957 and re- member and a fellow of the Society of mained in Springfield until her death on American Archivists. She served as the 21 May 1984. Society's first vice president (1936-38), its Before the Society was founded, Nor- fourth president (1943-45), a Council ton served on the American Historical member (1937-42), and editor of the Association's Public Archives Commis- American Archivist (1946-47). Her con- sion and as an officer of the National tributions to the Society came relatively Association of State Libraries. Respected late in a career that began when she ob- by her professional colleagues, she played tained a master's degree in history from a major role in establishing archival prac- the University of Chicago (1914) and a tice as a separate and distinct profession library science degree from the New York in the United States. Her papers at the State Library School (1915). After several American Historical Association's 1929 years' work in historical libraries, she ac- meeting and the 1930 meeting of the Na- cepted the position of archivist for the tional Association of State Libraries were State of Illinois in 1922. She retired from landmarks in the archival campaign for 474 American Archivist/Fall 1984 professional recognition. Archives contains writings with a clarity As she worked to establish the archival that was drawn from experience. She profession on a national level, Norton warned of "the fallacy of treating ar- chives merely as historical records," built an outstanding state archival pro- Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/47/4/473/2747221/aarc_47_4_w5g4968253h12580.pdf by guest on 23 September 2021 gram in Illinois. Little had been done to charged archivists with "a paramount implement Waldo G. Leland's 1912 duty to preserve the integrity of" the use report on archives in Illinois. With of records "as acceptable legal careful planning and tactical skill, Nor- evidence," and advised that records of ton assembled the archives, secured a enforceable legal rights must be pre- magnificent new building (1938), and served. Her sound advice was based on launched a comprehensive state records hard-won experience gained by maintain- management program (1956). A cham- ing administrative histories. pion of business efficiency in a state In addition to her accomplishments in government that sometimes lost sight of the public domain, Margaret Norton was both of these objectives, Norton not only a source of encouragement and inspira- survived, but commanded the respect of tion to her colleagues. There was no her colleagues in state offices. eulogy at the services in Springfield. As Capable of defining the archivist's mis- the priest noted, we are all alike in the sion and establishing a first-rate archival eyes of God. New generations of ar- program, Norton was an articulate indi- chivists will meet the challenges of the vidual. The collection of her writings future. They can take profound comfort published in 1975 was hailed by Ernst from her example and the knowledge that Posner as the "first American manual of they, too, are like Miss Norton. archives administration." Selected and MAYNARD BRICHFORD edited by Thorton Mitchell, Norton on University of Illinois.