Finding Aid to the Leonarde Keeler Papers, 1899-1972 (bulk 1923-1949)

Finding Aid written by Daniel Wikey
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2007
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Finding Aid to the Leonarde Keeler Papers, 1899-1972 (bulk 1923-1949)

Collection number: BANC MSS 76/40 c

The Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Finding Aid Author(s):
Finding Aid written by Daniel Wikey
Finding Aid Encoded By:
GenX
© 2013 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Leonarde Keeler papers
Date (inclusive): 1899-1972
Date (bulk): 1923-1949
Collection Number: BANC MSS 76/40 c
Creator: Keeler, Leonarde
Extent: Number of containers: 3 cartons, 1 box, 10 volumes Linear feet: 5 3 digital objects (3 images)
Repository: The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: Leonarde Keeler was a pioneer in the burgeoning field of criminology in the 1920s and 1930s. The Leonarde Keeler papers contain professional correspondence, research and publications, notes, and newsclippings that relate to the polygraph, personal research, and the academic field of crime science in general. As the son of a family of intellectuals and naturalists, the collection also has materials relating to his upbringing and adolescent interests.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Information for Researchers

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html. 
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Leonarde Keeler Papers, BANC MSS 76/40 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley

Alternate Forms Available

Digital reproductions of selected items are available.

Related Collections

Leonarde Keeler photograph collection, BANC PIC 1976.064-.065
Charles Augustus Keeler papers, BANC MSS C-H 105
Charles Augustus Keeler papers: additions, BANC MSS 93/122 c
Charles Augustus Keeler letters : to Estelle Carpenter, BANC MSS 84/95 c
Eloise Keeler papers, BANC MSS 93/121 c

Separated Material

Most photographs have been transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog
Keeler, Charles Augustus, 1871-1937
Keeler, Eloise, 1905-
Keeler, Leonarde--Archives
Keeler, Louise M. (Louise Mapes)
Keeler family
Crime--United States
Lie detectors and detection--United States
Polygraph operators--United States

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

The Leonarde Keeler Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Eloise Keeler and Merodine Keeler McIntyre in 1975.

Accruals

No additions are expected.

System of Arrangement

Arranged to the folder level.

Processing Information

Processed by Daniel Wikey in 2011.

Biographical Information

Leonarde Keeler was born in 1903 in Berkeley, CA, the son of poet and naturalist Charles Keeler and artist Louise Bunnell. He attended UC Berkeley and UCLA before transferring to Stanford University to study psychology. His adolescent interest in police work and detection inspired him to develop, while in college, the "Keeler Polygraph"--an updated modification to previously existing lie-detection technology. He performed psychological research and experiments at various prisons and institutions, including the Institute for Juvenile Research in Chicago, before moving to Chicago permanently in 1930 to work at the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory headquartered at Northwestern University. He married Katherine Applegate, a fellow psychology student, in 1930. Frequently hired as a consultant in police investigations and court cases, he gave lectures and performed research relating to this work as well as criminology in general throughout his later life. He died of a stroke in 1949.

Scope and Content of Collection

Leonarde Keeler was a pioneer in the burgeoning field of criminology in the 1920s and 1930s. The Leonarde Keeler papers contain professional correspondence, research and publications, notes, and newsclippings that relate to the polygraph, personal research, and the academic field of crime science in general. As the son of a family of intellectuals and naturalists, the collection also has materials relating to his upbringing and adolescent interests. Personalia including correspondence, school notes and memorabilia, newsclippings, photos, and materials relating to his interests in snakes and mountain climbing are present. Also contained is correspondence and health reports regarding his health issues and sickness later in life. An extensive collection of family correspondence between Leonarde and his father, stepmother, sisters, nieces, and wife is included, dealing with topics both professional and personal in Leonarde's life.

 

Professional 1918-1954 Series 1

Physical Description: Carton 1, volumes 1-3

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically with audio recordings and scrapbooks filed at the end.

Scope and Content Note

Contains various research, notes, publications, clippings, and correspondence relating to Keeler's professional life. Of note are materials relating to the polygraph; these include notes on usage and technique, blueprints, interrogation data, and training manuals.
carton 1, folder 1-2

Addresses and Lectures 1930-1949, undated

carton 1, folder 3

Agreements and Contracts 1918-1947

carton 1, folder 4

Biographical Information 1938-1954

carton 1, folder 5

Business Documents 1939-1950, undated

carton 1, folder 6

Cases on Scientific Evidence by Fred Inbau 1938

 

Correspondence

carton 1, folder 7

Adler, Herman 1927-1930

carton 1, folder 8

Chatham, Russell 1938-1940

carton 1, folder 9

Foster, W.J. 1930-1931

carton 1, folder 10

Gardner, Erle Stanley 1946-1949

carton 1, folder 11

Gregory, Alex 1943-1946

carton 1, folder 12

Haney, George 1933-1939

carton 1, folder 13

Johnston, Alva 1943-1945

carton 1, folder 14

McDonald, Eugene F. 1938-1947

carton 1, folder 15

Sullivan, T.P. 1942

carton 1, folder 16

Thomas, Charles C. 1948

carton 1, folder 17

Miscellaneous- incoming 1926-1949, undated

carton 1, folder 18

Miscellaneous- outgoing 1930-1949

carton 1, folder 19

Journal Articles 1925-1940

carton 1, folder 20

Modus Operandi by Wichita Police Department 1939

carton 1, folder 21-22

Newspaper clippings and Magazines 1924-1954

carton 1, folder 23

Northwestern Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory 1929-1938

carton 1, folder 24

Notes and interviews 1931, undated

carton 1, folder 25

Organizations 1925-1949

 

Polygraph

carton 1, folder 26

Background undated

carton 1, folder 27

Blueprints 1934

carton 1, folder 28

Court Technique and Policy 1931-1941

carton 1, folder 29

Examiner Training 1945-1950

carton 1, folder 30

Experimental Data and Records undated

carton 1, folder 31

Patent Materials 1930-1941

carton 1, folder 32

Radio Series 1946-1948

carton 1, folder 33

Traffic Accident Investigation undated

carton 1, folder 34

Training Schools Manual- Federal Bureau of Investigation 1935

carton 1, folder 35

Audio Recordings 1948-1949

volume 1

Lie Detector Scrapbook 1931

volume 2

Lie Detector Scrapbook 1933

volume 1

Detail of an album page with two Dick Tracy cartoons. 1933 BANC MSS 76/40 c

Scope and Content Note

Cartoons titled, "Starting the New Year" and "The Lie Detector's Busy Day."

Additional Note

This material was selectively digitized from a larger resource or collection.
volume 3

Lie Detector Scrapbook 1941-1945

 

Personal 1899-1952 Series 2

Physical Description: Carton 2, folders 1-22, box 1, volume 4

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Scope and Content Note

Included are correspondence, school notes and memorabilia, newspaper clippings, photos, and materials relating to Keeler's interests in snakes and mountain climbing. Also contained is correspondence and reports regarding his health issues and death.
carton 2, folder 1

Australia Trip- journal 1923

carton 2, folder 2

Business and Identification Cards 1933-1950

 

Correspondence

carton 2, folder 3

af Trolle, Marie 1944

carton 2, folder 4

Brandt, Ralph and Louise 1925-1933

carton 2, folder 5

Hutchins, Franja 1945

carton 2, folder 6

Massee, Burt and Katy 1943-1949

carton 2, folder 7

Rodger, Sarah-Elizabeth 1944

carton 2, folder 8

Schindler, Raymond 1943-1948

carton 2, folder 9

Miscellaneous- incoming 1927-1949

carton 2, folder 10

Miscellaneous- outgoing 1930-1948

carton 2, folder 11

Family History/ Biographical Materials 1899-1952

carton 2, folder 12

Health and Condition Reports 1934-1948

carton 2, folder 12

Polygraph chart. October 18, 1940 BANC MSS 76/40 c

carton 2, folder 13

Invitations and Announcements 1946, undated

carton 2, folder 14

Charles Keeler- Writings 1916-1939

carton 2, folder 15

Memorabilia- High school/ College 1924-1936

carton 2, folder 16

Mountain Trips 1923-1925, 1949

carton 2, folder 17

Newspaper Clippings 1907-1973

carton 2, folder 18

College Notes and Papers 1925-1927

carton 2, folder 19-21

Sickness and Bereavement 1949-1950

carton 2, folder 22

Snake Hobby 1926-1948

volume 4

Scrapbook 1930s-1940s

volume 4

Detail of album page with Dick Tracy color cartoon. 1930s-1940s BANC MSS 76/40 c

Scope and Content Note

Cartoon is of the character Blake taking a lie detector test.

Additional Note

This material was selectively digitized from a larger resource or collection.
box 1

Unidentified reel-to-reel motion picture film (13 reels) undated

 

Family Correspondence 1911-1949, 1968-1972 Series 3

Physical Description: Carton 2, folders 23-30; Carton 3, volume 5

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by primary correspondent.

Scope and Content Note

Contains an extensive collection of family correspondence between Keeler and his father, stepmother, sisters, nieces, and wife, dealing with topics both professional and personal in Keeler's life.
carton 2, folder 23-28

Echols, Eloise 1925-1948

carton 2, folder 29-30

Keeler, Charles 1911-1934

carton 3, folder 1-10

Keeler, Charles 1930-1937

carton 3, folder 11-12

Keeler, Katherine 1930-1937

carton 3, folder 13-14

Keeler, Leonarde (with various relatives) 1926-1948

carton 3, folder 15-19

Keeler, Ormeida 1925-1947

carton 3, folder 20

McIntyre, Joanne and Louise 1937-1947

carton 3, folder 21-24

McIntyre, Merodine 1927-1949

volume 5

Newspaper columns by Eloise Keeler 1968-1972