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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Archives & Special Collections, Santa Clara University Library
Title: Edgar R. Levin Collection
creator:
Levin, Edgar R.
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2017.02.16
Physical Description:
1.69 linear feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1934-1965 (bulk 1939-1959)
Abstract: The Edgar R. Levin Collection, circa 1934-1965 (bulk 1939-1959), chronicles the adult life of Edgar Ross Levin, a teacher,
lecturer and later supervisor in Santa Clara County who worked as Father Bernard R. Hubbard’s assistant on his journeys to
Alaska. The collection consists of materials detailing Levin's Alaskan adventures, his methods of teaching, and the topics
he discussed during his lectures. The collection also supplies further information about Father Hubbard from his assistant’s
point-of-view. The bulk of the collection consists of notes and other forms of writing by Levin, along with correspondence
received by Levin. Other materials include school worksheets, newspaper clippings, diaries, and his work on a territory orientation
for Alaskan areas to assist those who wanted to utilize the land but were not familiar with its terrain. This collection is
arranged into one series: Series I. Personal Papers of Edgar R. Levin, circa 1934-1965 (bulk 1939-1959).
Language of Material: English.
Physical Location: This collection is located in Santa Clara University Library's Archives & Special Collections.
The collection is open for research.
SERIES I: Personal Papers of Edgar R. Levin, circa 1934-1965 (bulk 1939-1959).
This series documents Levin’s experience as Father Hubbard’s assistant and some of his endeavours after his Alaskan expeditions,
mostly pertaining to his time as a teacher. The bulk of this series consists of correspondence sent to Levin, newspaper clippings
about Fr. Hubbard that mention Levin, and notes on meteorological and geographical research. The series also contains school
worksheets, lecture scripts, and diaries that provide further insight into Levin's research and teaching methods.
This series is arranged by format.
Edgar R. Levin, born in 1900, grew up in Leadville, Colorado, until his family moved to California, where he attended St.
Joseph’s High School, San Jose State University and later Stanford University, becoming a football and boxing star during
his college career. During his time in Santa Clara County, he became close friends with Father Bernard Hubbard, also known
as the Glacier Priest, who would take Levin on his travels to King Island, Alaska to study geographical conditions and the
local native population. Levin became Hubbard’s assistant and accompanied him on these adventures, conducting research and
teaching the native people how to read and write. Despite the dangers that the Alaskan wilderness presented, Levin was known
for being tough and willing to face danger if necessary. His knowledge of the Alaskan frontier provided great insight for
World War II troops who were being trained in Arctic survival. Later in his life, Levin worked as a geography teacher, lecturer
and county supervisor in Santa Clara County. As supervisor, he fought for an expanded library system, state water projects,
and new county parks. He died on March 12th, 1965, and a county park in Milpitas, CA was dedicated in his name.
Santa Clara University was founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus as Santa Clara College and is California’s oldest operating
institution of higher learning. It was established on the grounds of Mission Santa Clara de Asìs, the eighth of the original
21 California missions. The college originally operated as a preparatory school and did not offer courses of collegiate rank
until 1853. The institution became known as the University of Santa Clara in 1912, when the schools of engineering and law
were added. For 110 years, Santa Clara University was an all-male school. In 1961, women were accepted as undergraduates and
Santa Clara University became the first coeducational Catholic university in California. The number of students and faculty
tripled over the next decade and the university began the largest building program in school history with eight residence
halls, a student union, and an athletic stadium. In the early 1970s, the Board of Trustees voted to limit the size of the
undergraduate population, an action that was intended to preserve the character and ensure the quality of the university for
generations to come. In 1985, the university adopted Santa Clara University as its official name.
Bibliography: Santa Clara University. “About SCU – History.” www.scu.edu/about/history.cfm (Accessed Nov. 23, 2010) McKevitt, Gerald, S.J.
The University of Santa Clara: A History, 1851-1977. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1979.
Edgar R. Levin Collection, MSS.2017.2.16, Santa Clara University Library, Archives and Special Collections.
Collection processed by Daniel Morales and finding aid EAD encoded by Michelle Runyon in 2017. Reviewed by Erin Louthen. Additional
descriptive information added by Mia Hope in 2018.
Bernard R. Hubbard, S.J., Papers, Santa Clara University. University Archives.
Below are links to a selection of books donated to the University Library by Edgar R. Levin:
Alaska's forest resources / Walt Matell (link to bibliographic record): https://sculib.scu.edu/record=b1574078
The romance of the Newfoundland caribou : an intimate account of the life of the reindeer of North America / by A. A. Radclyffe
Dugmore ; illustrated with paintings, drawings and photographs from life by the author (link to bibliographic record):
https://sculib.scu.edu/record=b1574111
The polar and tropical worlds : a popular and scientific description of man and nature in the polar and equatorial regions
of the globe : embracing the combined results of all the explorations, researches and discoveries of modern times / by Dr.
G. Hartwig ; edited by A. H. Guernsey (link to bibliographic record):
https://sculib.scu.edu/record=b1583165
A complete list of books donated to the University Library by Edgar R. Levin is available from Santa Clara University Archives
& Special Collections upon request.
Scope and Content of the Collection
The Edgar R. Levin Collection, circa 1934-1965 (bulk 1939-1959), chronicles the adult life of Edgar Levin, a teacher, lecturer
and later supervisor in Santa Clara County who worked as Father Bernard R. Hubbard’s assistant on his journeys to Alaska.
The bulk of the collection illustrates Levin’s teaching methods, lecture topics, and experiences with Father Hubbard. Notes
detailing scientific research in Alaska are bountiful, providing information on the state previously unknown during its time
before statehood. While the collection does not contain materials pertaining to his life before his time as Hubbard’s assistant,
it does allow researchers to view Father Hubbard’s adventures through the lens of someone close to him. The records consist
of notes and other forms of writing by Levin, along with correspondence received by Levin. Other materials include school
worksheets, newspaper clippings, diaries, and his work on a territory orientation for Alaskan areas.
This collection is arranged into one series: Series I. Personal Papers of Edgar R. Levin, circa 1934-1965 (bulk 1939-1959).
Materials in Archives & Special Collections may be subject to copyright. All requests for permission to publish from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the University Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Archives & Special
Collections as the owner of the physical materials, and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder,
which must also be obtained. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Santa Clara University -- History
Education, Higher -- California -- San Jose
Santa Clara County (Calif.) -- History, Local
Hubbard, Bernard R. (Bernard Rosecrans), 1888-1962
Levin, Edgar R.