Guide to the Edgar R. Levin Collection MSS.2017.02.16

Daniel Morales

First edition

Archives & Special Collections, Santa Clara University Library

Santa Clara University Library

500 El Camino Real

Santa Clara, California 95053-0500

Email: specialcollections@scu.edu

URL: https://www.scu.edu/library/asc/

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.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Collection Contents

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.

Biographical History

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.

Organizational History

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.

Preferred Citation

Edgar R. Levin Collection, MSS.2017.2.16, Santa Clara University Library, Archives and Special Collections.

Processing Information

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.

Related Material

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).

Publication Rights

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.

SERIES I: Personal Papers of Edgar R. Levin, circa 1934-1965 (bulk 1939-1959).

Scope and Content

Arrangement

This series is arranged by format.

Box 1: Lectures, Correspondence, King Island School File, Territory Orientation Files and Other Miscellaneous Documents, 1934-1960

Folder 1: Alaska Day Festival, 1960

Folder 2: "An Impression of Alaska", undated

Folder 3: Children's Reading Materials, undated

Folder 4: Business Lectures, 1939-1949

Folder 5: Correspondence, 1938-1949

Folder 6: "Docey-Do", Alaska Native Service, 1956

Folder 7: King Island Film Lists, 1941

Folder 8: King Island School, 1936-1938

Folder 9: Lectures, 1958-1959

Folder 10: Miscellaneous, undated

Folder 11: News Clippings, 1916-1973, & undated

Folder 12: Songs, undated

Folder 13: Special Letters, 1934-1939

Folder 14: Territory Orientation, 1943

Folder 15: Territory Orientation, 1943

Box 2: Journals, Notebooks, Address Book, Photographs, Obituary, Campaign Sign, 1939-1965