Ben Mark Cherrington Papers

Born in Gibbon, Nebraska on November 1, 1885, Benjamin Mark Cherrington was raised as a 'Son of the West' living in Council Bluffs, Iowa, as well as Lincoln, Nebraska and then Omaha, Nebraska. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University for one year from 1904 to 1905. He placed a hold on continuing his education by accepting a position with the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Adrian, Michigan from 1905 to 1907. But he resumed his education at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln until his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in 1911. He continued his work experience in education as a high school teacher and coach in Omaha. Upon graduation, Cherrington continued to graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley until 1917. While there, he retained his relationship with the YMCA by acting as secretary for the state chapter. In 1919 he served as the Executive Secretary of the Denver Student chapter of the YMCA. On June 28, 1924 he married Edith Harper and raised two children, Anne Mary and Benjamin Mark, Jr. Cherrington earned five academic degrees: an A.B. from the University of Nebraska in 1911, an A.M. from the University of California in 1922, a Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1934, an L.L.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1934 and a Doctor of Public Service from the University of Denver in 1953.

During this time he also began his long term career with the University of Denver as an instructor in 1926. He was named Director of the University of Denver Graduate School of International Studies, Chair of the Graduate School. In 1943 he was appointed acting chancellor of the University while Chancellor Caleb Gates was fulfilling his military duties in World War II. Cherrington served in that post until February 1946. During his term of office as chancellor, he added the School of Speech, Department of Theatre, and the Hotel and Restaurant Management School to the University's programs. He taught at the University until 1951. Cherrington also founded the Social Science Foundation at the University and maintained his association with that organization until 1943.

His work in international relations began in 1938 when Cherrington accepted the task of organizing the work of the newly-created Division of Cultural Relations in the U.S. Department of State at the invitation of Secretary of State Cordell Hull and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This work continued with the United Nations when he was involved with the U.N. San Francisco Convention in 1944. In addition to his work in education, Cherrington was an author of the United Nations Charter and a co-founder of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He continued his work with the U.N. through UNESCO after World War II. He worked at UNESCO for six years developing its commission and temporarily presiding as chair until Milton Eisenhower took over. Cherrington then became vice-chair. His work in international relations and universal consciousness through education resumed with the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, which provided colleges and universities opportunities to establish cultural relations and international affairs programs for their students and faculties. Cherrington was a trustee for 36 years. He also worked with the Rotary Club of Denver and Rotary International at this time until 1950. He was honored by Queen Elizabeth in 1956 for his contributions to international affairs. Cherrington retired in 1969 and remained in Denver until his death on May 2, 1980.