Johan August Udden papers
Scope and Contents
The Johan August Udden papers, 1873-1987 and undated, contains biographical information about Udden, correspondence, research files, publications and manuscripts on geology and science, documentation of the Aurora, Illinois, earthquake in 1909, academic papers, and geological equipment. The collection is organized into six series.
The Biographical series, 1916-1973 and undated, includes an autobiography of J.A. Udden as well as notes on the Udden family. There are many tributes and memorials following his death, including the dedication of the Lindahl-Udden memorial on 5 May 1950. Included in this series are letters to Augustana alumni asking for pledges to establish an Udden Memorial Fund as well as a list of the faculty committee appointed to write a tribute. Also included is a biographical essay written by a history student at Augustana.
The Correspondence series, 1879-1931, contains correspondence between J.A. Udden and the Udden family, F.M. Fryxell, and Joshua Lindahl, as well as two folders of business correspondence.
The Research and Publications series, 1873-1912 and undated, contains Udden's publications from 1891-1924, including original manuscripts. Included in this series is documentation of the Aurora, Illinois, earthquake, which happened in 1909. Materials comprise Udden's observations of the earthquake, newspaper clippings about the event, and maps of the affected area.
The Miscellaneous Manuscripts series, 1910 and undated, contains Udden's notes, rough drafts, and charts for unidentified manuscripts.
The Academic series, 1875-1913 and 1987, contains speeches and lectures given by Udden at Augustana College, his grade book, 1875 commencement programs, and information about his flying machine, the Rotopter.
The Artifacts series contains sieves used by Udden in his fieldwork.
Dates
- Creation: 1873-1987 and undated
Creator
- Udden, Johan August, 1859-1932 (Person)
Language of Materials
English and Swedish
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.
Historical Note
Johan August Udden was born in Sweden in 1859 and emigrated to America with his family at the age of two. He attended St. Ansgar Academy in Minnesota from 1873-1876, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Augustana College in 1881. On 27 August 1882, he married Johanna Kristina Johneon. That same fall he accepted a teaching position at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, where he was a professor of natural science and geology from 1882 until 1888. He then returned to Augustana College to join the faculty and to teach in the same areas. He received his master's degree in 1889 at Augustana, and an honorary Doctorate from Bethany in 1900. While at Augustana, Udden supervised the geology museum, which had been started by Josua Lindahl. He lead the Weatherman's Club (1903), which was the forerunner of the Science Club at Augustana.
In 1910, Udden left Augustana College for a permanent position in the Bureau of Ecology, Geology, and Technology at the University of Texas at Austin. From 1899 to 1903, Udden worked as a special assistant to the Iowa Geological Survey. He was assistant geologist for the University of Texas Mineral Survey from 1903 to 1904. He worked as a geologist for the Illinois Survey from 1906 to 1911, and he served as special agent for the United States Geological Survey from 1906 to 1914.
Udden was a member of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, and a member of the Fellow Geological Society of America. King Oscar II of Sweden decorated him with the Order of the North Star in 1929. He was delegate to the 12th International Geological Congress, which met in Toronto, Canada, in 1913.
Udden had three sons, Jon Andreas, Anton David, and Svante Mauritz. He passed away 5 January 1932 in Austin, Texas.
Extent
3.7 Cubic Feet (/ 9 boxes)
Abstract
Johan August Udden was born in Sweden in 1859 and emigrated to America with his family at the age of 2. He attended St. Ansgar Academy in Minnesota from 1873-1876, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Augustana College in 1881. He returned to Augustana College to natural science and geology in 1888. While at Augustana, Udden supervised the geology museum, which had been started by Josua Lindahl. Also, he was leader for the Weatherman's Club (1903) which was the forerunner of the Science Club at Augustana. In 1910, Udden left Augustana College for a permanent position in the Bureau of Ecology, Geology, and Technology at the University of Texas at Austin. The Johan August Udden papers, 1873-1987 and undated, contains biographical information about Udden, correspondence, research files, publications and manuscripts on geology and science, documentation of the Aurora, Illinois, earthquake in 1909, academic papers, and geological equipment.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Original manuscripts and Lindahl letters eceived from J.A. Udden, August 1911. Immediate source of acquisition of remaining materials unknown.
Processing Information
Processed by Allison James, 2008. Revised by Atticus Garrison, October 2016.
- Title
- Johan August Udden papers, 1873-1987 and undated.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Atticus Garrison
- Date
- October 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States
specialcollections@augustana.edu