SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
& Hilton M.
Briggs Library Special Collections
Faculty Papers
R. F. Kerr papers
|
Administrative Information |
Search Terms
| Background
Note | Scope and
Contents Note |
Arrangement
|
PDF of Finding Aid |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
COLLECTION SUMMARY Title: Faculty Papers, R. F. Kerr papers Dates: 1881-1906, 1913, 1916, 1919, 1931 (bulk 1885-1891) Creator: R. F. (Robert Floyd) Kerr Physical description: 0.84 linear feet—2 containers Collection number: UA 53.6 Language: Collection material is in English. Repository: South Dakota State University Archives, Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. Abstract: Collection is composed primarily of correspondence, diaries, and other writings from Kerr’s life in South Dakota and elsewhere. Also includes items from his teaching career, including class records and items collected during his Japanese teaching experience. The bulk of material is correspondence. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Provenance: The library has long held the Kerr papers, but their provenance is sketchy at best. It is believed that William H. Powers, when writing his history of South Dakota State University [SDSU], used many of Kerr’s papers in doing so. Albert S. Harding, who also attempted to write a history of SDSU, appears to have used them as well. It is highly recommended that both the Powers and Harding papers be consulted along with the Kerr papers. Access Restrictions: This collection is open to research without restriction. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only. Copyright Status: Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this finding aid. It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request. Please note that most collections, especially those received before 1997, may not have complete information on file. (Revised 15 SEP 2003) Preferred citation: [Identification of item]. Faculty Papers, R. F. Kerr papers, UA 53.6, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. Processing information: This collection was processed by Elizabeth B. Scott on May 5, 1998 with revisions on December 8, 2008 (cjg). SELECTED SEARCH TERMS The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the subject guide. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein. Persons:
Subjects:
BACKGROUND NOTE Robert Floyd Kerr was born April 12, 1850 at Sugar Grove, Indiana. He attended Wabash College and later DePauw University, where he graduated in 1877. After teaching in Indiana for 2 years, he taught English and Mathematics at Hirosaki, Japan in 1879. Upon his return to the United States in 1880, Kerr taught again throughout the Midwest, settling finally in Brookings in 1885, where he was professor of political economy and Principal of the Preparatory Department. In 1892, he was ousted from the college and went to Illinois to work but he returned to Brookings in 1898, this time as Librarian and Principal of the Preparatory Department.
In addition to these roles, he also served as steward and manager of a boarding club, ran the men’s dormitory and acted as advisor to the Dakota Agricultural Cadets, the military organization on campus. In addition to his work on the SDSU campus, Kerr was also active in Brookings. He was instrumental in founding the Forum, a men’s association in town, and he was active with the Masons. In 1905, Kerr accepted a position as private Secretary to Governor Elrod. In 1911 and 1913, he served on the South Dakota legislature. In his later years, he lived in Brookings, edited a farm paper and remained active in many community organizations. He died October 16, 1921. Bibliography: Robinson, Doane, revised by R. F. Kerr, A history of South Dakota: from earliest times, Mitchell, S.D., The Educator School Supply Co., 1907. [SD Collection: F656.R652] Kerr, Robert F., Kerr’s block map and manual of South Dakota, Pierre, S.D., The Capital Supply Co., 1913. [SD Collection: G4180.K4b] Kerr, Robert Floyd, Some interesting reminiscences of the early days in Brookings County, Brookings, S.D., s.n., 1972. [SD Collection: F657.B75 K4 oversize] Kerr, Robert Floyd, The voyage of Groseilliers and Radisson, 1652 to 1684, Pierre, S.D., South Dakota State Historical Society, 1902. [SD Collection: F646.S6 v.1 1902] Related material: Lindell, Lisa, “Collegiate Life from Both Sides of the Desk: South Dakota State University in the 1880s.” South Dakota History v. 30 no. 2 (Summer 2000): pp.167-199. Otto, Kathryn, “Dakota Resources: The Robert F. Kerr Papers at the South Dakota Historical Resource Center.” South Dakota History v.9 no. 3 (Summer 1979): pp. 248-251. SCOPE AND CONTENTS NOTE This collection represents what can only be a portion of items from Kerr’s personal files. They consist mainly of correspondence, but also include some diaries and writings, ledgers, class records and even Kerr’s 1879 traveling papers for his stay in Japan. The bulk of the material is correspondence, which is both personal and related to his work at the university. Some of the letters chronicle his dismissal from the university, which is an integral part of the early history of South Dakota State University. ARRANGEMENT of the RECORDS Folders are arranged in alphabetical order. Box 1.
Box 2.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Updated January 30, 2009 by cjg Email questions or comments to: arcrefs@sdstate.edu Copyright 2008 by South
Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. |