Dr. Richard Hiatt

Professor of Chemistry.

Dr. Richard Brown

Dr. Brown, Professor of Philosophy, speaking with a student.

Opening truth to imagination : the pragmatism of John Dewey and Richard Rorty

This study explores in a comparative way the works of two American pragmatist philosophers-John Dewey and Richard Rorty. I have provided a reading of their broader works in order to offer what I hope is a successful sympathetic comparison where very few exist. Dewey is often viewed as the central hero in the classical American pragmatic tradition, while Rorty, a contemporary pragmatist, is viewed as some sort of postmodern villain. I show that the different approaches by the two philosophers-Dewey's experiential focus versus Rorty's linguistic focus-exist along a common pragmatic continuum, and that much of the critical scholarship that pits the two pragmatists against each other has actually created an unwarranted dualism between experience and language. I accomplish this task by following the critical movement by each of the pragmatists through their respective reworking of traditional absolutist truth conceptions toward a more aesthetical, imaginative position. I also show how this shift or "turning" represents an important aspect of the American philosophical tradition-its aesthetic axis. I finally indicate a role for liberal education (focusing on higher nonvocational education) in accommodating this turning, a turning that in the end is necessitated by democracy's future trajectory

Photograph of Richard, Iris and Albert Sloman [n.d.]

An undated photograph of Richard, Iris and Albert Sloman taken outside what is believed to be a holiday cabin in Parry Sound, Ontario. This photograph was in the possession of the Rick Bell family, of St. Catharines.

Richard Nelson Bell - Iris Sloman Wedding Day Photo, 1939

A black and white photograph taken in 1939 on the occasion of the marriage of Richard Nelson Bell to Iris Sloman. Pictured in the photograph, from left to right, are: Bert Sloman; Richard Nelson Bell; Iris Sloman Bell; and Helen Beatty Sloman. This photograph was in the possession of Rick Bell, the son of Richard Nelson and Iris Bell. The Bell - Sloman family descends from former Black slaves from the United States.Bert Sloman (Albert Edward Sloman) passed away in 1986 at Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. His wife Vera Matilda Sloman passed away January 4, 2011 at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. They had a son, Ron Sloman.

Richard and Iris Bell Wedding Day, 1939

Richard and Iris (Sloman) Bell are pictured on the grounds of unknown gardens, possibly in Niagara Falls, on their wedding day in 1939. This photo was among the family memorabilia in the possession of their son, Rick Bell, of St. Catharines.

Vera Sloman, Richard Bell, Iris Sloman Bell and Bert Sloman [n.d.]

This black and white family photo is undated yet believed to be in 1939 on the wedding day of Richard and Iris Bell. Pictured in this photo are, from right, Vera, Richard Bell, Iris Sloman Bell, and Bert Sloman. This photo was in the possession of Rick Bell, of St. Catharines, son of Richard and Iris. The Bell - Sloman families have descendants who are former African American slaves.Bert Sloman (Albert Edward Sloman) passed away in 1986 at Kitchener - Waterloo, Ontario. His wife, Vera Matilda Sloman, passed away January 4, 2011 at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. They had a son, Ron Sloman.

Letter written by John Bentley, Sept. 26, 1813.

Transcript [original spelling and grammar retained]: Sacketts Harbour 26th Sept. 1813. Dear wife. From this you are informed that I am in health at this Date. When I last wrote to you I some expected to go upon and expedition but to us unknown we sat out and went up the Lake 3 Days Landed at Oswego The British Fleet appeared off, and we returned and saw our fleet upon our return, I think that our Regt. going was only a maneuver to get the Fleet out that our Fleet might come a threat[?] of them We expect to embark immediately into Canada as preparations are making to convey us over to them we are anxious to commence an action with them. Troops are daily coming in to the Harbour to take the Stand in our absence, we shall not be here 3 days before we try their[?] Powder. they are daily defecting[?] to us from Canada very fearful of the consequence of our Resisting[?] of them…our Fleet is now out and has been for 6 or 7 days. The Lake Erie fleet has done great things. I hope ours will be as successful. I think that our Generals are waiting to hear from them as every thing is ready[?] of to embark various opinions reflecting were we shall attack them some say at Kingston others at Montreal and others at Prescot—Mr. William Butler and D[?]…are well and in Spirits, Sergt Daniel White is very hearty for him, M. Samuel C[?] is well and in good health Benjm Thompson is well Charles Bryant is well [?] is well Eben[?] Smith is very much plagued with the Rheumatik Disease[?] he……… his limbs very often for being Crippled[?] he is at the Hospital I often visit it to see the sick Jacob Barnes is at the Hospital but recovering fast been very sick. Luther Gregory is at the Hospital and on the recovery, Sergt. L[?] & Smith are well, Henry ………[?] is well, very healthy have not more die here than 3…[?]to the best of my knowledge. I will make a few remarks upon the place it abounds in Lime Rock more than Thomaston and not every person to my knowledge burn it, and in the whole Town not but one Pump that supplies the Towns People and Soldiers and a ………[?] of such a Lake of water the Lake water is good for drinking but the water near the Shore is exposed to all kind of filth being thrown into it. The officers with whom I have been with have used me kindly and I get quietly by them. The Lieut. Downer who recruits at Thomaston tell me he has thots[?] of Leaving the army if so I must say I am greatly sorry as he was my ……[?] friend although he Left us and went in a northern Company it is a Company……………[?]worthy an officer as he proves to be, I cannot get any higher than a Sergeant or Quarter Master Sergeant which I may have without any friends at Thomaston assisting me. I am a Sergeant and Sergeant Daniel White is expecting[?] to be a Quarter Master Sergeant, and a number of his friends from Thomaston have went to their Major for him in the 9th Regt Major….[?] and he expects to obtain a Commission as I ……[?] expect to be promoted and it died away he will have the Laugh upon me, I wish that My Friend Dawes would[?] put the question to Col. Foot? to write to our Col. E.W. Ripley if he has …[?]in the …[?]taken by him and others of my …[?] friends[?]. I expect to come home this winter without fail. I remain your Loving Husband till Death. John Bentley for Betsey Bentley Thomaston P.S. The next Letter will be ……[?]to Mr. Dawes[?] and shall write as soon as our Fleet arrives or if we are ordered off tomorrow shall write before I leave this Place. I have understood that many letters have been ……[?]to me. I have received only 2 from Mary, one from Mr. Dawes, one from William Thompson and have answered them please to write……[?]to S. Harbour.

Letter - Sean O'Sullivan to Richard Nixon, 20 December 1975

A brief letter from Sean O'Sullivan to Richard Nixon, 20 December 1975. O'Sullivan thanks Nixon for a meeting they had in San Clemente, California. O'Sullivan remarks "It is my hope that the future will permit us to work towards the goal of a lasting Peace -- a goal to which you have already made such an outstanding contribution".

Last Will and Testament - Richard Woodruff

Last Will and Testament of Richard Woodruff of St. Davids. This is a printed copy which is unsigned, June 15, 1872.

Indenture of Release between Richard Miller and others

Indenture of release by executors between Richard Miller, John L. Ranney and Richard Woodruff, all of St. Catharines and Joseph A. Woodruff of Clifton, all executors of the will of Samuel Zimmerman of the first part and The Great Western Railway Company of the second part. Parties of the second part have exonerated parties of the first part to undertake and complete the Sarnia branch of the railway. Also, parties of the first part believe they are entitled to compensation as the death of Zimmerman was caused while travelling on one of the carriages belonging to said company. A sum of $150,000 was agreed upon to be paid to the executors by the Great Western Railway Company, September 7, 1858.

Indenture of Land Sold by David Secord to George Shaw, Richard Woodruff, Timothy Street, Josiah Brown, Henry Pope

Indenture regarding land sold by David Secord of St. Davids to George Shaw, Richard Woodruff, Timothy Street and Josiah Brown, all of Niagara Township and Reverend Henry Pope of York. The land includes part of Lot no. 90 in the Township of Niagara. September 5, 1820.

Indenture Lease of Land by David Secord to Richard and William Woodruff

Indenture stating that David Secord of the Township of Niagara leased the dam of the sawmill pond in St. Davids to Richard and William Woodruff for 25 shillings per year for their mill business, May 2, 1824.

Indenture of Land Sold by George Shaw to Richard and William Woodruff

Indenture stating that George Shaw of Niagara sold 1 acre, 2 roods and 1 perch in the Village of St. Davids to Richard and William Woodruff. The price was 66 pounds - instrument no. 6926, June 9, 1824.

Indenture of Conveyance between George Shaw and Richard Woodruff and Company

Indenture of conveyance between George Shaw of the Township of Niagara and Richard Woodruff and Company, merchants of the Township of Niagara, all living in the Village of St. Davids for a share of water ("course of water running in a hole one inch diameter"), April 15, 1825.