Guide to the William H. Dall papers, 1840-1918

Scope and Contents

The Dall collection in the National Anthropological Archives has been called his "Alaska Library" and consists largely of printed material, including issues of periodicals, a few books, government documents, and scholarly articles. Some of this material is of anthropological interest. There are also a few manuscripts of writings, translations, and notes, including autobiographical notes by George Kennan and a speech about Ivan E. P. Veniaminov. The collection of photographs, although many are incompletely identified, is of ethnographic, archeological, historical, and geological interest. Included are views of towns, churches, and geological phenomena, a few portraits, and scenic views. Included also are Auk, Tlngit and Eskimo subjects. Some of the photographs are by Winter and Pond and by A. L. Broadbent, of the U. S. S. Bear.

Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into 4 series: (1) Manuscripts, n.d.; (2) printed material, 1840-1918; (3) photographs, some 1894-1895; (4) maps and charts, some 1884-1898.

Biographical Note

Naturalist William Healey Dall (1845-1927) was among the earliest scientific explorers in Alaska and journeyed to that land many times between 1865 and 1899. An employee of the Western Union Telegraph Expedition, United States and Geodetic Survey, and, finally, the United States Geological Survey, Dall was also affiliated with the Smithsonian. His 1867-1868 field work in Alaska was sponsored by the Institution; and, in 1880, he was made an honorary curator in the United States National Museum. ; His interests were far reaching and included, among other subjects, linguistics, archaeology, and ethnology.

Related Materials

The National Anthropological Archives holds linguistic materal collected by William H. Dall in MS 165 Hong Kutchin vocabulary, MS 363 On some peculiarities of the Eskimo dialect, and MS 365 Grammar of the Karaleet or Greenlandic branch of the Orarian stock, as well as MS 1224 Vocabulary of Plover Bay Indians, with transmittal letter, Asaph Hall to William H. Dall.

The Smithsonian Institution Archives holds the William Healy Dall Papers.