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Spring 2023

In this issue, a professor’s recommendation sends his star pupil on a daring, and ultimately tragic, expedition. Oscar W. Baker Sr., the 100th African American law student at U‑M, committed his life to racial and social justice. And Frank Murphy had ties to radio priest Father Coughlin, even as Coughlin became entangled in a treason investigation.

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Selected Stories

A selection of stories of this issue. Please download PDF to read all content.

Writing in Secret

by Madeleine Bradford

The Whimsies was an anonymously published literary magazine that became massively popular on U-M's campus in the early 1920s. But who was behind it?

The Carillon and the Egyptologist

by Madeleine Bradford

The carillon bells in Burton Memorial Tower on U-M's campus are played or their original keyboard thanks to an unlikely savior: a U-M Egyptologist.

Tragedy on the Ice

by Andrew Rutledge

When a faculty member recommends his prize pupil for a daring expedition in Greenland, disaster strikes on multiple fronts.

Last Call

by Andrew Rutledge

A police raid in 1931 brought national attention to drinking on U-M's campus. Archived records show what the fallout was like.

Baseball’s Barrier Breaker

by Dr. Rashid Faisal

Before Jackie Robinson, there was Moses Fleetwood Walker, a U-M law graduate who would use the racism and discrimination he faced in baseball to fuel an incredible career.

Partnerships to Repair Harm and Shed Light

by Nancy Bartlett, Interim Director

Collaborations and partnerships enhance the understanding of what the Bentley has in its collections and shed light on how the Library can uncover or repair harm.

Beyond These Hallowed Halls

by Margaret Leary

In 1899, Oscar W. Baker Sr. was accepted into the U-M Law School, becoming the 100th African American student to attend U-M. He would make remarkable contributions working for racial and social justice.

The Politician and the Traitor

by Lara Zielin

Michigan politician Frank Murphy was close with popular priest and radio host Father Coughlin. Until Coughlin was suddenly in the throes of a treason investigation.

The Improbable Herpetologist

by Madeleine Bradford

In the early 20th century, Helen Thompson Gaige defied gender stereotypes by becoming an expert in zoology and launching herself into adventures to collect and study specimens.