Finding Aid for Harold M. and Margaret Osborn Papers, 1917-2024 | University of Illinois Archives

Title: Harold M. and Margaret Osborn Papers, 1917-2024

ID: 26/20/77

Primary Creator: Osborn, Harold M. (1899-1975)

Other Creators: Osborn, Margaret E. (1906-2003)

Extent: 2.6 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: By type of document and chronological thereunder

Subjects: Amateur Athletic Union, Army Specialized Training Program, Decathlon, High Jumping, Olympics, Physical Training, Track and Field

Formats/Genres: Papers

Languages: English

Papers of Harold M. Osborn (1899-1975) (Agriculture, 1922) and Margaret Bordner Osborn (1906-2003) (LAS, English, 1932), including High Jump and Decathlon gold medals, Olympic diplomas, track shoes, and jersey from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics; certificates (1924-74), correspondence (1925-50) and clippings (1919-2021) relating to Amateur Athletic Union and international track meets, Olympics, physical training, high jumping, decathlon, coaching, employment and track recruitment; track and field programs for the 1928 Olympics, Millrose Games (1931-32), Chicago Daily News Relays (1945, 1950-52, 1964), Big Ten meets (1950-51, 1953), and international meets in Ireland (1928, 1936); publicity material from the centenary of Osborn's 1924 Olympic triumphs (2024); publications relating to the Olympics (1928, 1932), the Big Ten (1929), high jumping, Finnish athletes (1932, 1934) and files relating to coaching at Illinois and ASTP physical training during World War II. Correspondents include Asa Bushnell and Dan Ferris. Also includes a portfolio of Harold Osborn created by daughter Elizabeth Osborn and a bronze medal won at the Wilco Athletic Association's "Pre-Olympic Carnival" in 1923.

Flapper dress and shawl belonging to Margaret Osborn are located in RS 35/3/120 University of Illinois Artifact Collection.

Prior notice must be given to view Harold Osborn's gold medals from the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Harold Marion Osborn (1899-1975) graduated from the University of Illinois in 1922, with a degree in agriculture.  "Osie" (his campus nickname) was an involved student, being part of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, the Sachem honorary society, the Hoof and Horn Club, the Agriculture Club, and, most significantly, competing for the University in Track & Field and Cross Country.

Following his time at the University, he taught in Lewiston, Illinois, where he met his future wife, Margaret Estelle Bordner (LAS, English, 1932).  They married in 1928.

In the 1924 Olympic Games, held in Paris, he won gold medals in both the High Jump and Decathlon, and remains (as of 2024), the only athlete to ever win the Decathlon and an individual event in the same Olympics.  He also competed in the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, almost medaling again in the High Jump.  All told, he won 17 national titles and set numerous world records.

After his athletics career, he earned his Doctor of Osteopathic medicine and practiced in Champaign-Urbana.  He also helped coach the University of Illinois track team.

He died in 1975, and is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, within sight of the University of Illinois Campus.  Margaret outlived him by 28 years, and was buried at his side in 2003.

Amateur Athletic Union
Army Specialized Training Program
Decathlon
High Jumping
Olympics
Physical Training
Track and Field

Repository: University of Illinois Archives

Accruals: 8/19/1988; 1/9/89; 5/22/91; 2017; 6/15/2022; 7/25/2024; 8/28/2024; 9/26/2024

Alternate Extent Statement: ~964 megabytes

Acquisition Source: Donation

Acquisition Method: 2022 Donation by Susan Osborn Jones, Carol Osborn Grimm, and Elizabeth Osborn; 2024 Donations by Susan Jones and Elizabeth Osborn

Other Note: 2 Pages

URL: https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/uasfa/2620077.pdf

PDF finding aid for Harold M. and Margaret Osborn Papers (26/20/77)