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Frank Driver Reeve Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-158-BC

Scope and Content

The Frank Driver Reeve collection consists of 14 boxes.

Boxes 1-3 of the collection primarily contain correspondence, research materials, reports, and typescripts. Interspersed within the correspondence is correspondence pertaining to the University of New Mexico in general, and the UNM History Department and New Mexico Historical Review in particular. Materials related to Reeve's research on Navajo and Mescalero land claims are also contained in the collection. Other materials of note include a translation of Franz Huning's 1894 diary, correspondence relating to land and "free homes," letters from C.C. Jackson discussing church life and social conditions in Santa Fe and Mexico. Some of the letters demonstrate bigotry towards native Mexican and Indian peoples. Reeve's typescripts include "General Carleton's Expedition Against the Navaho." The collection also contains photo prints of documents concerning claims of James W. Magoffin for payment by the U. S. War Department, relating to the Mexican War. Original Spanish documents collected by Tony Garcia (Albuquerque agent for museums) are also contained in this collection.

Boxes 4-14 are card files of Reeve's research notes, which pertain to New Mexico, the Navajo, the Mescalero, and assorted other topics.

Dates

  • 1787-1968
  • Majority of material found in 1840-1967

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.

Biographical Information

Frank Driver Reeve was born in Ogden, Utah, on June 7, 1899. He enrolled at the University of New Mexico in 1921, and received his bachelors degree in 1925, and his masters degree in 1928. His masters thesis was titled "A History of the University of New Mexico." Reeve did graduate work at Stanford University, the University of Colorado and received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas. His dissertation was titled, "Federal Indian Policy in New Mexico 1858-1880."

Dr. Reeve had a keen sense of history and made significant contributions in the study of the history of New Mexico and the Southwest. He was the editor of the New Mexico Historical Review in which much of his research appeared. He is best known for his scholarly research regarding the history of the Navajo from colonial times through the nineteenth-century, and his three volume History of New Mexico.

Reeve was known as a champion of faculty causes and a defender of academic freedom. He was an honorary member of the School of American Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a member of the New Mexico and American historical associations. He wrote sections on New Mexico for the Encyclopedia Britannica and other reference books. Reeve was regarded as a leading authority on Southwestern history. He was on the faculty of the University of New Mexico for 36 years before he retired in 1964. He suffered from bad health through most of his life and died on December 31, 1967.

Source for biographical information: "Frank D. Reeve." New Mexico Historical Review, Vol., 43, Pp., 85-97. Albuquerque: UNM Press, 1968.

Extent

14 boxes (4.4 cu. ft.)

Abstract

The collection contains research, correspondence, and manuscripts of Frank Driver Reeve. Focuses of the collection include New Mexico history, the Navajo, and the University of New Mexico.

Arrangement

Arrangement: Boxes 1-3 contain correspondence, manuscripts, research files. Boxes 4-14 contain Reeve's research card files.

Related Archival Material

New Mexico Historical Review Records Survey Miscellany Center for Southwest Research. University of New Mexico. New Mexico Historical Review Records Center for Southwest Research. University of New Mexico. Lansing B. Bloom Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico L. Bradford Prince Papers Center for Southwest Research. University of New Mexico. D'Armand Collection of Spanish Language Documents Center for Southwest Research. University of New Mexico. New Mexico Historical Records Survey Miscellany. Center for Southwest Research. University of New Mexico.

Separated Material

Photographs have been transferred to the Frank Driver Reeve Photograph Collection.
Title
Finding Aid of the Frank Driver Reeve Papers, 1787-1968
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by D. Trujillo
Date
©2005
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451