Description
Letters written to him; copies of letters written by him; biographical sketches and personalia; bibliographies and bibliographic
notes; financial records; MSS of his writings; copies of his articles and speeches, MSS and printed; copies of introductions,
statements and book reviews written by him; lecture notes; subject files; clippings and photographs. Primarily re his career,
after his retirement from the Berkeley Police Department, as professor of police administration at the University of California,
Berkeley; as consultant; and as author.
Background
August Vollmer was born March 7, 1876 of German parents in New Orleans, and, when he was fifteen, the family moved to Berkeley,
California. At the age of eighteen he opened a coal and feed store and was active in the formation of the Berkeley volunteer
fire department. When the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898, he enlisted as a private and saw service both in Cuba and
in the Philippines. Returning to civilian life in Berkeley, he worked as a letter carrier and fireman. In 1905 he was elected
town marshal and subsequently organized his town patrol into the Berkeley Police Department.
Extent
Number of containers: 46 boxes, 7 cartons, 3 volumes, and 2 oversize folders
2 digital objects (2 images)
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
Collection is open for research.