Henry C. Kelly Papers - TCU Library - Texas Christian University

Special Collections, Texas Christian University
Guide to the
Henry C. Kelly Papers
Manuscript Group 105
Compiled by
Jensen Branscombe
Fort Worth, Texas
November 2009

Henry C. Kelly Papers (MS 105) - 2
Contents
Overview of the Papers 3
Biographical Sketch 4
Description of the Papers 5
Inventory
Henry C. Kelly Papers, 1964-2004 6

Henry C. Kelly Papers (MS 105) - 3
Overview of the Papers
Creator
Kelly, Henry C. (Jim)
Title Henry C. Kelly Papers, 1964-2004.
Physical description
2.25 linear ft.
Arrangement Arranged in one series: Henry C. Kelly Papers, 1964-2004.
Biographical sketch
Summary
Henry C. (Jim) Kelly, now Professor Emeritus, was a
Professor of Chemistry at TCU from 1964-1998. He served
as Department Chair from 1989-1995. In addition to an
active and fruitful researching and teaching career in the
chemistry department, Kelly also served as director of
TCU’s Honors Program from 1981-1988.
The papers document Kelly’s scholarly activities. They
consist of course materials, grant documentation, Honors
Program information, and correspondence and clippings that
document his career and service to the university.
Provenance Gift from Jim Kelly, 2009.
Terms governing use
Preferred citation
For further
information
Copyright has been transferred to Texas Christian
University.
Henry C. Kelly Papers. Special Collections, Mary Couts
Burnett Library, Texas Christian University.
Special Collections
Mary Couts Burnett Library
Texas Christian University
TCU Box 298400
Fort Worth, TX 76129
Tel.: (817) 257-7108
Fax.: (817) 257-7282

Henry C. Kelly Papers (MS 105) - 4
Biographical Sketch
Henry C. (Jim) Kelly is a New England native. He was born and raised in Rhode Island
and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine. He
worked as an analytical and research chemist for 6 years at Metal Hydrides, Inc. Beverly,
Massachusetts during which time he also took several courses in the Evening Graduate
School of Northeastern University in Boston. He left industry in 1958 to enter Brown
University where he received the PhD degree in 1961 and stayed for a one year
appointment as Instructor in' Chemistry. After returning to industry for two years, he
accepted appointment to the chemistry faculty at TCU where he served from 1964 to his
retirement in 1998.
At TCU, Kelly developed and taught an Honors course in freshman chemistry as well as
courses in Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Kinetics, and Special Topics at the advanced
undergraduate and graduate levels. His research has been focused on the kinetics and
mechanism of selected chemical reactions many of which have involved boron-hydrogen
compounds. Central to this has been the direction of research of graduate students
working toward masters (MS) and doctoral (PhD) degrees, as well as that of a number of
post doctoral fellows and several undergraduate chemistry majors.
Some high points in his career were derived from sabbatical leaves of absence. The first,
in 1973, at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, resulted in many
subsequent years of collaborative research in model enzyme chemistry, a joint NATO
grant, and student exchange at the undergraduate and post doctoral levels. Later
sabbaticals at the University of Kent, Canterbury, England, and Mount Alison University,
Sackville, Canada, were devoted to studies of the inclusion of small molecules and ions
into cyclodextrin (carbohydrate ring) compounds. He has received many research grants,
has numerous publications, and is the author of a patent for the preparation of high purity
silicon. He has presented seminars and participated in conferences both nationally and
internationally. Jim has also had other recognition and was honored by being named TCU
Honors Professor in 1975.
During the early 1990s, Jim became a member of a group involved in faculty-student
exchange at the Universidad de las Americas (UDLA) in Puebla, Mexico and, in 1993,
taught a brief summer course at UDLA on subjects related to research interests. This led,
in part, to two UDLA undergraduates coming to TCU for graduate study in chemistry.
In addition to an active research and teaching career, Kelly was also involved in
university and other professional service. Several examples include chairing the Science
Division of Add Ran College, serving as member and, later, chair of the Faculty Senate,
and as a member and chair of the Honors Council. In 1994, he chaired the Southwest
Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society held in Fort Worth. He served as
Director of the TCU Honors Program from 1981 to 1988 and as Department Chair in
Chemistry from 1989 to 1995. In 1998 he became Professor Emeritus.
- Jim Kelly

Henry C. Kelly Papers (MS 105) - 5
Description of the Papers
The strength of the papers is the documentation of Kelly’s professional career at TCU.
The collection documents Kelly’s scholarly activities, especially in the areas of
researching and teaching. The papers reflect Kelly’s dedication to TCU and to the field
of chemistry. Roughly a quarter of the papers consist of course materials, including tests
and notes from courses taught at TCU. Another quarter consists of grant-related
proposals and research. This material includes a list of the internal and external grants
Kelly received while at TCU. A third quarter is made up of materials related to TCU’s
Honors Program, including correspondence regarding Kelly’s directorship, Honors Day
activities, and senior research theses. Remaining items relate to Kelly’s other academic
endeavors and university service. They include Kelly’s vitae, academic reviews, campus
talks and dedications, departmental service, and recognitions.

Henry C. Kelly Papers (MS 105) - 6
Henry C. Kelly Papers, 1964-2004
The papers document Kelly’s scholarly activities. They consist of course materials, grant
documentation, Honors Program information, and correspondence and clippings that
document his career and service to the university. The papers are arranged alphabetically
by subject.
Description Date Box
Course materials (11 folders) 1964-1996 1-2
General
Curriculum Vitae ca. 1998 2
Recognitions (2) 1970,1990-
1992
Reviews [of manuscripts and research proposals] (3) 1964-2004 2-3
Southwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical
Society (ACS) [Kelly served as general chair of the 50 th
meeting in 1994] (2)
1994
Grant information
Education in a Global Society 1993 3
List of internal and external grants 1956-1995
National Science Foundation (NSF) 1965-
1967,1991-
1994
NATO 1978-1980
Office of Saline Water (OSW), U.S. Dept. of Interior (3) 1969-1971 3-4
TCU Research Foundation (TCURF) (2) 1965-1995 4
Welch Foundation (5) 1965-1990 5
Honors Program
General (6) 1976-1988
Honors Day activities (2) 1975-1976

Henry C. Kelly Papers (MS 105) - 7
Description Date Box
Honors Program, continued
Honors Retreat 1973-1975 6
Honors Week (2) 1969-1981
Program directorship (3) 1981-1987
Senior Honors theses (6) 1975-1982
University service
Chapel talk 1976
Chemistry department annual reports and
appointment letters
Establishment of the Ruth Evelyn Sanders
Lectureship
1989-1995
1994-1997
Inauguration of Chancellor William Tucker 1980
Mortar Board 1981-1983,
1992
Review of History department 1978
Richardson Science building dedication 1971