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Spooner (David Brainerd) Papers
M0011
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: David Brainerd Spooner Papers
creator:
Spooner, D. Brainerd (David Brainerd)
Identifier/Call Number: M0011
Physical Description:
10 Linear Feet
(16 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1899-1925
Abstract: Archaeologist and linguist David Brainerd Spooner was an early graduate of Stanford University (1899) who did considerable
work and writing in archaeology, Indian religion, Indian history, languages, and linguistics.
David Brainard Spooner was born at South Vernon, Vermont, February 7, 1879. Educated at Stanford University, AB 1899, then
taught in Japan at the Prefectural College of Omi at Oatsu. Later he taught at the School of Foreign languages, Tokyo, and
then at the Imperial University. He was the first foreigner to graduate from the Imperial University with an Lit.D. Attended
the British Government College at Benares, 1901-02 and the Sanskrit College in Benares, 1902-03. He was attached to the Siamese
Legation at one time. Granted a fellowship by Harvard and was awarded a Ph.D. from King Frederick William University in Berlin,
1906.
Spooner went to India prior to 1908 as a member of the British Archaeological Survey. In 1910 he is credited with discovering
the remains of Buddha near Peshawar, India. In 1915 Spooner married Elizabeth Colton of Easthampton, Mass. He became head
of the British Archaeological Survey and did considerable work and writing in archaeology, Indian religion, Indian History,
languages, and linguistics. Spooner died at Agra, India, Jan. 30, 1925, and is buried there.
(For a more complete biography see Spooner Correspondence File)
The Spooner Papers contain D. B. Spooner's correspondence from 1899 to 1922. The bulk of the correspondence was written between
1915 and 1918. The collection also includes manuscript, typescript, and printed copies of articles by D. B. Spooner. There
are many manuscript and typescript language notebooks and studies. Also included are booklets in foreign languages, photographs,
memorabilia, and some artifacts such as scrolls and palm leaves.
Spooner's primary work was concerned with Indian Archaeology and Indian Religion. Of secondary importance are his works concerning
Indian History and various language studies.
[Identification of item], David Brainerd Spooner Papers (M0011), Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries,
Stanford, Calif.
Gift of Mrs. Lawrence E. Norem, 1959.
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Much of the published material (articles, reprints, booklets, etc.) have been transferred to the library's general catalog.
Eight photographs of Stanford University were transferred to University Archives.
Folders were numbered consecutively across boxes.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
India -- Antiquities
Buddhism -- Study and teaching
India -- Languages
Asia -- History
Spooner, D. Brainerd (David Brainerd)