George M. and Martha S. Waller Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection mainly contains various drafts and edited versions of what would become the book Butler University: A Sesquicentennial History, written by George M. Waller. It also contains photographs of the campus, alongside writings by Martha S. Waller. In addition, there are circa 1868 materials from a school folder by Charles Williams, who is believed to have been a relation of Martha Waller.
Dates
- Creation: 1868 - 2001
- Creation: Majority of material found in circa 1990s
Creator
- Waller, Martha, 1920-2019 (Person)
- Waller, George M. (George Macgregor), 1919-2003 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions apply.
Biographical Note
George “Mac” Waller (1919-2003) was a historian and professor who taught at Butler University’s Department of History from 1954 to 1989; he served as the head of the Department of History and Political Science until 1985 and was the McGregor Professor of History from 1987 to 1989. He received his B.A. from Amherst College in 1941 and then served two years in the United States Navy in the Pacific from 1942 to 1944. Dr. Waller received his PhD in American History from Columbia University. He passed away in Naples, Florida in 2003.
Martha Stifler Waller (1920-2019) was born in Peking, China. She received her B.A. in English from Mount Holyoke College in 1941, her M.A. in English from Columbia University in 1942., and her PhD in English from Indiana University in 1973. During World War II, she worked as a civilian code breaker with the cryptography section of the Army Signal Corps. She joined Butler University as a faculty member in 1974 and was named the Demia Butler Chair in English Literature in 1981. Dr. Waller is known for her expertise regarding Chaucer.
Extent
2.50 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The bulk of this collection is made up of George Waller’s drafts of his history of Butler University and campus life, which eventually was published as Butler University: A Sesquicentennial History. It also contains photographs of the Butler campus and scholastic and other materials by Martha S. Waller. Both George and Martha Waller were Butler University professors.
Arrangement
This is an unprocessed collection. Any arrangement reflects either a pre-existing order from the records’ creator or preliminary sorting performed by staff.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
George M. and Martha S. Waller donated this collection to Butler University Libraries over multiple years (Accession Number 2002.005).
Separated Materials
A book belonging to Martha S. Waller, Studies in Chaucer: His Life and Writings, volume II by Thomas R. Lounsbury (copyright 1962) was removed and catalogued as a part of the Rare Books collection. Martha Waller made a notation of her name, address, and the year 1971. The book contains marginalia in pen by Martha Waller.
Bibliography
“Martha Waller is just one of the many extraordinary women from Butler’s past”, Facebook, posted March 8, 2021, accessed May 20, 2024, https://www.facebook.com/butleruniversity/posts/martha-waller-is-just-one-of-the-many-extraordinary-women-from-butlers-past-duri/10158324914064412/?locale=sw_KE.
Martha Stifler Waller Papers collection guide, Mount Holyoke College, accessed May 20, 2024, https://aspace.fivecolleges.edu/repositories/2/resources/293
Subject
- Butler University -- History (Organization)
- Butler University -- Faculty (Organization)
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the George M. and Martha S. Waller Collection
- Author
- By Erika Kovach, December 2023
- Date
- 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Butler University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
4600 Sunset Avenue
Irwin Library 345
Indianapolis Indiana 46208 United States
specialcollections@butler.edu