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Matkin (Joseph) Papers
SMC 0008  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Biography
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Publication Rights
  • Restrictions
  • Related Materials
  • Provenance

  • Descriptive Summary

    Languages: English
    Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
    9500 Gilman Drive
    La Jolla 92093-0175
    Title: Joseph Matkin Papers
    Creator: Matkin, Joseph
    Identifier/Call Number: SMC 0008
    Physical Description: .8 Linear feet (2 archives boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1868-1984 (bulk 1871-1876)
    Abstract: Letters of Joseph Matkin, ship's steward's assistant and member of the H.M.S. Challenger crew during the Challenger Expedition, a joint venture of the Royal Society of London and the British Admiralty (1872-1876). The collection also contains a small number of Matkin family photographs.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    Letters of Joseph Matkin, ship's steward's assistant and member of the H.M.S. Challenger crew during the Challenger Expedition, a joint venture of the Royal Society of London and the British Admiralty (1872-1876). The letters were written primarily to his mother, Sarah Matkin, and his cousin, John Thomas Matkin (addressed in the letters as "Tom"). The collection contains original letters to Mrs. Matkin, and copies of letters to and from other family members, including a full bound copy of Tom Swann's letterbook, in which he recorded the contents of his cousin's letters. The collection also contains a small number of Matkin family photographs.
    Transcription and historical analysis of the Matkin letters has been published in The Challenger Letters of Joseph Matkin: At Sea with the Scientifics, ed. by Philip F. Rehbock. University of Hawaii Press, 1992.

    Biography

    Joseph Matkin (1853-1927) was born in the small rural town of Uppingham, Rutland, England. His father owned a sucessful printing and stationary company in Oakham; he attended the Billesdon parish free school in Leicestershire. In 1867 Matkin entered the merchant marine, and in 1870, entered the Royal Navy. Matkin was transferred to the Challenger in 1872 and remained with the ship for the full duration of its three and a half year scientific expedition. He wrote extensively to family throughout the trip, and many of these letters, or copies of his letters, comprise this collection.
    For a full account of Joseph Matkin's biographical background, including education, historical context, and duties on the ship, please see the introduction to: The Challenger Letters of Joseph Matkin: At Sea with the Scientifics, ed. by Philip F. Rehbock. University of Hawaii Press, 1992.

    Preferred Citation

    Joseph Matkin Letters. SMC 8. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

    Acquisition Information

    Acquired 1984

    Publication Rights

    Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

    Restrictions

    Access to original letters requires the permission of the Director of Special Collections & Archives. Microfilm copies of 23 original Matkin letters are available in Box 2 of the collection. The John Thomas Swann letters are photocopies of Swann's original letterbook. All letters in the collection have been transcribed and published.

    Related Materials

    Full transcripts of all letters in this collection have been published: The Challenger Letters of Joseph Matkin: At Sea with the Scientifics, ed. by Philip F. Rehbock. University of Hawaii Press, 1992.

    Provenance

    Gift of Lucy Mary Matkin Stone (Mrs. Vernon E. Stone). Mrs. Stone also made typescript transcripts of all letters. Letters were received 3/20/84 from Mrs. Stone and sent to Victoria Blyth Hill of LA County Museum for conservation treatment, then to UCLA for microfilming.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Matkin, Joseph -- Correspondence
    Challenger Expedition (1872-1876) -- Archives