Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Washington Matthews Papers
- Dates:
- 1893-1945
- Creators:
- Matthews, Washington and Lummis, Charles Fletcher
- Abstract:
- Major Washington Matthews, M.D., LL.D. (1881-1905) was a surgeon with the United States Army and a scholar and writer on Navajo culture and people. This collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts, magazine and newspaper clippings, and a scrapbook from 1893-1945 related to Native Americans and Dr. Matthews' work.
- Extent:
- 0.3 Linear Feet (1 box)
- Language:
- English , German .
- Preferred citation:
-
Washington Matthews Papers, 1893-1945, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.561; [folder number] [folder title][date].
Background
- Scope and content:
-
This collection consists of printed material from 1893-1945 related to Native Americans and Dr. Matthews' work. Materials include biographical materials collected upon Matthews' death, correspondence, manuscripts, magazine and newspaper articles, a report, and a scrapbook. The scrapbook was given to Charles Fletcher Lummis by Matthews circa 1905 and includes newspaper clippings, programs, and photographs of Washington Matthews. Scrapbook contents are from 1893-1905, and some items are in German.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Major Washington Matthews, M.D., LL.D. (1881-1905) was a surgeon with the United States Army and a scholar and writer on Navajo culture and people. He was stationed in Dakota Territory (1860s-70s), California (1875-1880), New Mexico (1880s and 1890s), and Washington, D. C. (late 1880s).
In Dakota Territory, Matthews started his self-training as an anthropologist by working with the Mandan and Hidatsa. Most of the unpublished material relating to this study was destroyed in a fire. In California, Matthews carried out limited studies among the Modoc. In New Mexico, he undertook work for which he is perhaps best remembered among the Navajo. Conversant in Navajo, he was one of the earliest recorders of Navajo culture.
In Washington, stationed at the U.S. Army Medical Museum, he carried on physical anthropological work, especially on the remains excavated and collected by the Hemenway Expedition.
- Acquisition information:
- Donation from Washington Matthews, circa 1905; Charles Fletcher Lummis; Frederick Webb Hodge, 1932 December; Dr. F. A. Blossom, 1934 August; Richard Van Valkenburgh, 1942.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Final processing and finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 October 5, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-06-06 21:54:02 +0000 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian 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.
- Preferred citation:
-
Washington Matthews Papers, 1893-1945, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.561; [folder number] [folder title][date].
- Location of this collection:
-
4700 Western Heritage WayLos Angeles, CA 90027, US
- Contact:
- (747) 201-8448