Robert L. Whitner Papers

Collection

Identifier: WCMss-561

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Robert L. Whitner papers, which date from 1944 to 1982, consist of papers written for the Walla Walla Valley Pioneer and Historical Society Newsletters, his senior thesis on President Ulysses S. Grant’s Native American policies, research files and papers on the history of Whitman College, exams, course work, notes, correspondence, historical work, manuscripts, speeches, and photographs. The collection also includes materials from Whitner's work with the National Park Service, especially surrounding the Whitman Mission.

Dates

Creation: 1944-1982

Creator

Whitner, Robert L. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Robert Lee Whitner was born on December 30, 1917, in Seattle, Washington. He attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington from 1944 to 1948, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Education. He proceeded to earn his Master’s degree from Washington State College in Pullman, Washington in 1948, and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1958. He taught history at Whitman from 1951 to 1968, with the distinction of being a William Kirkman professor of history from 1968 to 1982. He also served as the dean of students at Whitman from 1964 to 1967. Whitner served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946, and was a member of the American History Association, the Organization of American Historians, the Western History Association, and the Association of American University Professors. He died on November 27, 1982.

Extent

6.9 Linear Feet (6 record cartons, 2 manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Robert L. Whitner, born on December 30, 1917, was a prolific historian of the Pacific Northwest. The Robert L. Whitner Papers, which date from 1944 to 1982, consist of papers written for the Walla Walla Valley Pioneer and Historical Society Newsletters, research files and papers on the history of Whitman College, National Park Service records, and coursework files.