Sauer (Carl Ortwin) Research Notebooks, 1930-1955, 1930-1955

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Summary

Title:
Finding aid to the Carl Ortwin Sauer Research Notebooks, 1930-1955
Dates:
1930-1955
Creators:
Sauer, Carl Ortwin, 1889-1975
Abstract:
Extent:
12 cartons, 2 volumes (12.1 linear feet)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Finding aid to the Carl Ortwin Sauer Research Notebooks, 1930-1955. UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

Background

Scope and content:

Research notebooks compiled by University of California Berkeley Geography professor Carl Ortwin Sauer between 1930 and 1955. These consist of copies of documents from a range of Mexican and Spanish archives (dating from circa 1525 to 1802) relating to Sauer's research interests in Mexico and Latin America. Documents are arranged in topical volumes dedicated to Indies in General and Cosmographies; West Indies (16th and 17th century); New Spain (16th and 17th century), New Spain Ramirez Visita (1550-1555); Michoacan; Nueva Galicia; Nueva Vizcaya; Oaxaca; Tlaxcala; Central America; Honduras; Tierra Firme; Guatamala; Franciscans and Jesuits in New Spain; Indian Uprisings; Mining; Cattle; Quicksilver; Inquisition; New Mexico; and Texas. Copies of documents are from the following repositories: National Library of Mexico (BNM), Spain's Archivo General de Indias (AGI), México's Archivo General de la Nación (AGN), Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid (RAH), Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid (AHN), and Biblioteca de Palacio, Madrid (BPM).

Biographical / historical:

Carl Ortwin Sauer (December 24, 1889-July 18, 1975) was one of the twentieth century's most important geographers. He is remembered for developing the Berkeley School of geographic thought, which is distinguished by its cultural-historical focus. Sauer was born in Missouri and earned his doctorate in Geography from the University of Chicago in 1915. He taught at the University of Michigan from 1915 to 1923 and then accepted a position in the Geography Department at the University of California. He headed the department until 1954. Sauer's most famous work, The Morphology of Landscape, was published in 1925 and marked him as a clear opponent of environmental determinism. Sauer's interest in Mexico and Latin America dates to the 1920s. During the course of his career, he published widely on Ibero-America, particularly on the culture and historical geography of Native Americans in Latin America.

Acquisition information:
The Carl Ortwin Sauer Research Notebooks were given to The Bancroft Library by his daughter, Mrs. Edward Fitzsimons in 1998.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1930-1955
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the appropriate curator or the Head of Public Services for forwarding. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and the right.

Preferred citation:

Finding aid to the Carl Ortwin Sauer Research Notebooks, 1930-1955. UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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