George Walter Papers, 1820s-1970s

Collection context

Creator:
Walter, George, 1899-1983
Abstract:
The papers are composed of the correspondence, diaries, newspapers, books and documents of the Russian-American émigré George Walter. The correspondence is primarily from the period 1919-33, and consists of letters sent to Walter by family and friends in various European locations, primarily Walter's hometown of Mykolaiv, Russian Empire (now Ukraine).
Extent:
2.94 linear feet 7 document boxes
Language:
English , Russian .
Scope and content:

The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence addressed to George Walter in Kansas from friends and family in Europe from the late 1920s and early 1930s. A large part of the collection consists of newspapers and books collected by Walter in the early 1920s. There are also a number of documents relating to his immigration to the United States in the 1920s.

For preservation purposes, particularly fragile items have been stored in plastic. Color photocopies of the materials from this collection are held in boxes 6 and 7. Digitized versions of the materials from this collection are also available; please contact the curator for details.

Biographical / historical:

George Walter was born in a German-speaking Lutheran family in Mykolaiv, Russian Empire (now Ukraine). He learned French and Russian there prior to the Russian Revolution, which took place when he was 18 years old. Walter later acquired Arabic and English after leaving Russia for Tunisia and then the United States.

During World War I, Walter fought as part of the Russian Imperial Cavalry. He joined at age 15 but soon was injured by shrapnel in the chin. Walter's parents were middle-class supporters of the Russian monarchy and both died shortly after the October Revolution. At that time, Walter went into hiding until he reached Tunisia, a French protectorate where elements of the White Russian Navy had fled. Walter moved to the United States in 1923 (pictured around this time) and settled in Hoisington, Kansas.

Walter received United States citizenship in 1929. He died in 1983.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Chair of the Bakhmeteff Committee. The RBML approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); George Walter Papers; Box and Folder; Bakhmeteff Archive, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
rbml@library.columbia.edu