Finding Aid to the Leonarde Keeler Papers, 1899-1972 (bulk 1923-1949)
Finding Aid written by Daniel Wikey
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2007
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the Leonarde Keeler Papers, 1899-1972 (bulk 1923-1949)
Collection number: BANC MSS 76/40 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
- Finding Aid Author(s):
- Finding Aid written by Daniel Wikey
- Finding Aid Encoded By:
- GenX
© 2013 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Leonarde Keeler papers
Date (inclusive): 1899-1972
Date (bulk): 1923-1949
Collection Number: BANC MSS 76/40 c
Creator:
Keeler, Leonarde
Extent:
Number of containers: 3 cartons, 1 box, 10 volumes
Linear feet: 5
3 digital objects (3 images)
Repository: The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: Leonarde Keeler was a pioneer in the burgeoning field of criminology in the 1920s and 1930s. The Leonarde Keeler papers contain
professional correspondence, research and publications, notes, and newsclippings that relate to the polygraph, personal research,
and the academic field of crime science in general. As the son of a family of intellectuals and naturalists, the collection
also has materials relating to his upbringing and adolescent interests.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head
of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The
Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright
owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Leonarde Keeler Papers, BANC MSS 76/40 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
Alternate Forms Available
Digital reproductions of selected items are available.
Related Collections
Leonarde Keeler photograph collection, BANC PIC 1976.064-.065
Charles Augustus Keeler papers, BANC MSS C-H 105
Charles Augustus Keeler papers: additions, BANC MSS 93/122 c
Charles Augustus Keeler letters : to Estelle Carpenter, BANC MSS 84/95 c
Eloise Keeler papers, BANC MSS 93/121 c
Separated Material
Most photographs have been transferred to the Pictorial Collections of The Bancroft Library.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog
Keeler, Charles Augustus, 1871-1937
Keeler, Eloise, 1905-
Keeler, Leonarde--Archives
Keeler, Louise M. (Louise Mapes)
Keeler family
Crime--United States
Lie detectors and detection--United States
Polygraph operators--United States
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Leonarde Keeler Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Eloise Keeler and Merodine Keeler McIntyre in 1975.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
System of Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Processing Information
Processed by Daniel Wikey in 2011.
Biographical Information
Leonarde Keeler was born in 1903 in Berkeley, CA, the son of poet and naturalist Charles Keeler and artist Louise Bunnell.
He attended UC Berkeley and UCLA before transferring to Stanford University to study psychology. His adolescent interest in
police work and detection inspired him to develop, while in college, the "Keeler Polygraph"--an updated modification to previously
existing lie-detection technology. He performed psychological research and experiments at various prisons and institutions,
including the Institute for Juvenile Research in Chicago, before moving to Chicago permanently in 1930 to work at the Scientific
Crime Detection Laboratory headquartered at Northwestern University. He married Katherine Applegate, a fellow psychology student,
in 1930. Frequently hired as a consultant in police investigations and court cases, he gave lectures and performed research
relating to this work as well as criminology in general throughout his later life. He died of a stroke in 1949.
Scope and Content of Collection
Leonarde Keeler was a pioneer in the burgeoning field of criminology in the 1920s and 1930s. The Leonarde Keeler papers contain
professional correspondence, research and publications, notes, and newsclippings that relate to the polygraph, personal research,
and the academic field of crime science in general. As the son of a family of intellectuals and naturalists, the collection
also has materials relating to his upbringing and adolescent interests. Personalia including correspondence, school notes
and memorabilia, newsclippings, photos, and materials relating to his interests in snakes and mountain climbing are present.
Also contained is correspondence and health reports regarding his health issues and sickness later in life. An extensive collection
of family correspondence between Leonarde and his father, stepmother, sisters, nieces, and wife is included, dealing with
topics both professional and personal in Leonarde's life.
Professional
1918-1954 Series 1
Physical Description:
Carton 1, volumes 1-3
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically with audio recordings and scrapbooks filed at the end.
Scope and Content Note
Contains various research, notes, publications, clippings, and correspondence relating to Keeler's professional life. Of note
are materials relating to the polygraph; these include notes on usage and technique, blueprints, interrogation data, and training
manuals.
carton 1, folder 1-2
Addresses and Lectures
1930-1949,
undated
carton 1, folder 3
Agreements and Contracts
1918-1947
carton 1, folder 4
Biographical Information
1938-1954
carton 1, folder 5
Business Documents
1939-1950,
undated
carton 1, folder 6
Cases on Scientific Evidence by Fred Inbau
1938
carton 1, folder 8
Chatham, Russell
1938-1940
carton 1, folder 10
Gardner, Erle Stanley
1946-1949
carton 1, folder 14
McDonald, Eugene F.
1938-1947
carton 1, folder 17
Miscellaneous- incoming
1926-1949,
undated
carton 1, folder 18
Miscellaneous- outgoing
1930-1949
carton 1, folder 19
Journal Articles
1925-1940
carton 1, folder 20
Modus Operandi by Wichita Police Department
1939
carton 1, folder 21-22
Newspaper clippings and Magazines
1924-1954
carton 1, folder 23
Northwestern Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory
1929-1938
carton 1, folder 24
Notes and interviews
1931,
undated
carton 1, folder 28
Court Technique and Policy
1931-1941
carton 1, folder 29
Examiner Training
1945-1950
carton 1, folder 30
Experimental Data and Records
undated
carton 1, folder 31
Patent Materials
1930-1941
carton 1, folder 33
Traffic Accident Investigation
undated
carton 1, folder 34
Training Schools Manual- Federal Bureau of Investigation
1935
carton 1, folder 35
Audio Recordings
1948-1949
volume 1
Lie Detector Scrapbook
1931
volume 2
Lie Detector Scrapbook
1933
volume 1
Detail of an album page with two Dick Tracy cartoons.
1933 BANC MSS 76/40 c
Scope and Content Note
Cartoons titled, "Starting the New Year" and "The Lie Detector's Busy Day."
Additional Note
This material was selectively digitized from a larger resource or collection.
volume 3
Lie Detector Scrapbook
1941-1945
Personal
1899-1952 Series 2
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 1-22, box 1, volume 4
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content Note
Included are correspondence, school notes and memorabilia, newspaper clippings, photos, and materials relating to Keeler's
interests in snakes and mountain climbing. Also contained is correspondence and reports regarding his health issues and death.
carton 2, folder 1
Australia Trip- journal
1923
carton 2, folder 2
Business and Identification Cards
1933-1950
carton 2, folder 4
Brandt, Ralph and Louise
1925-1933
carton 2, folder 6
Massee, Burt and Katy
1943-1949
carton 2, folder 7
Rodger, Sarah-Elizabeth
1944
carton 2, folder 8
Schindler, Raymond
1943-1948
carton 2, folder 9
Miscellaneous- incoming
1927-1949
carton 2, folder 10
Miscellaneous- outgoing
1930-1948
carton 2, folder 11
Family History/ Biographical Materials
1899-1952
carton 2, folder 12
Health and Condition Reports
1934-1948
carton 2, folder 12
Polygraph chart.
October 18, 1940 BANC MSS 76/40 c
carton 2, folder 13
Invitations and Announcements
1946,
undated
carton 2, folder 14
Charles Keeler- Writings
1916-1939
carton 2, folder 15
Memorabilia- High school/ College
1924-1936
carton 2, folder 16
Mountain Trips
1923-1925,
1949
carton 2, folder 17
Newspaper Clippings
1907-1973
carton 2, folder 18
College Notes and Papers
1925-1927
carton 2, folder 19-21
Sickness and Bereavement
1949-1950
volume 4
Detail of album page with Dick Tracy color cartoon.
1930s-1940s BANC MSS 76/40 c
Scope and Content Note
Cartoon is of the character Blake taking a lie detector test.
Additional Note
This material was selectively digitized from a larger resource or collection.
box 1
Unidentified reel-to-reel motion picture film (13 reels)
undated
Family Correspondence
1911-1949,
1968-1972 Series 3
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 23-30; Carton 3, volume 5
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by primary correspondent.
Scope and Content Note
Contains an extensive collection of family correspondence between Keeler and his father, stepmother, sisters, nieces, and
wife, dealing with topics both professional and personal in Keeler's life.
carton 2, folder 29-30
Keeler, Charles
1911-1934
carton 3, folder 1-10
Keeler, Charles
1930-1937
carton 3, folder 11-12
Keeler, Katherine
1930-1937
carton 3, folder 13-14
Keeler, Leonarde (with various relatives)
1926-1948
carton 3, folder 15-19
Keeler, Ormeida
1925-1947
carton 3, folder 20
McIntyre, Joanne and Louise
1937-1947
carton 3, folder 21-24
McIntyre, Merodine
1927-1949
volume 5
Newspaper columns by Eloise Keeler
1968-1972