George Walter Papers, 1820s-1970s

Summary Information

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).

At a Glance

Call No.:
BA#0557
Bib ID:
12892648 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Walter, George, 1899-1983
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
2.94 linear feet (7 document boxes)
Language(s):
English , Russian .
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

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.

Description

Summary

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.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in eight series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

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 Governing Use and Reproduction

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.

Accrual

No additions are expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2016.2017.M108: Source of acquisition--Roberta Wirth. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1/17/2017.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed by Marlow Davis (GSAS) 2017.

Finding aid written by Marlow Davis (GSAS) 2017.

Revision Description

2017-10-13 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

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.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Correspondence CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Manuscripts (documents) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Maps (documents) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Newspapers CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Realia CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Walter, George, 1899-1983 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Place
Russia -- Emigration and immigration -- 20th century CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Tunisia -- History -- 20th century CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
German-American Mennonites -- 20th century CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Russian Americans -- 20th century CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Russian Emigres -- Tunisia -- 20th century CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID