James A. Goodwin Papers

Collection

Identifier: TMD290

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains photographs (1942, n.d.); discharge papers (1945); clippings (1986-2007); copy of Goodwin's memoir: And gladly guide, reflections on a life in the mountains (2003); untitled manuscript (n.d.); interview transcript (2004).

Dates

1942-2007

Creator

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The imply Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

James A. Goodwin was born at his parents’ home in Hartford, Connecticut March 8, 1910. His father was vice-president of Phoenix Mutual Insurance and his mother was a homemaker. Goodwin attended Noah Webster and Kingswood-Oxford schools. He later attended Williams College, where he captained the ski team, and he received a master’s degree in English from Harvard University. Following graduation, he returned to Kingswood to began a teaching career that spanned forty years. In 1942, Goodwin volunteered for the “ski troops.” He was initially assigned to the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment. He served as a mountain climbing instructor at Camp Hale, and later served as a medic with the 85th Infantry Regiment. He was stationed at Camp Swift, Texas, and during combat operations against the German Army in Italy, Goodwin was awarded two Bronze Star Medals. Following the war, Goodwin returned to teaching. Throughout his life, Goodwin remained extremely active in outdoor activities, particularly rock-climbing. He died in Keene, N.Y. on April 7, 2011 at the age of 101.