William Zimmerman, Jr. Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-517-BC
Scope and Content
The content of this collection is held within ten (I to X) series. Series I contains personal correspondence from all aspects of Zimmerman's life. Series II is made up of official correspondence from his tenure at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Land Management. Series III contains subject files in chronological order, beginning with files which did not have dates.
Series IV has information regarding Tribal and Reservation issues, in alphabetical order. The end of this series also has information on individual states and projects within the states. Series V is information on the Association of American Indian Affairs, including minutes of meetings and correspondence. Series VI has information on the National Congress of American Indians, including minutes of meetings and correspondence.
Series VII contains information on Federal and States Legislation, most of which is from the 84th and 85th Congresses. Information on appropriations and other legislative information is also included. Series VIII contains the Internal Office Files, in Chronological order. Series IX has various Public Relations and News Releases from the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Series X includes miscellaneous publications on Indian Affairs and various newspaper clippings from around the country. Some of the publications were written by Zimmerman himself. Clippings are not in any type of chronological or alphabetical order.
Series IV has information regarding Tribal and Reservation issues, in alphabetical order. The end of this series also has information on individual states and projects within the states. Series V is information on the Association of American Indian Affairs, including minutes of meetings and correspondence. Series VI has information on the National Congress of American Indians, including minutes of meetings and correspondence.
Series VII contains information on Federal and States Legislation, most of which is from the 84th and 85th Congresses. Information on appropriations and other legislative information is also included. Series VIII contains the Internal Office Files, in Chronological order. Series IX has various Public Relations and News Releases from the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Series X includes miscellaneous publications on Indian Affairs and various newspaper clippings from around the country. Some of the publications were written by Zimmerman himself. Clippings are not in any type of chronological or alphabetical order.
Dates
- 1933-1965
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 publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
William Zimmerman Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 2, 1890. At the age of twenty, he received an A.B. degree from Harvard University. After graduation, he remained to enroll in the Harvard Business School for another year. As his later achievements indicate, his university studies instilled in him an appreciation for learning.
During his lifetime, Zimmerman held many diversified positions before his tenure with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), including: writer and editor of the Children's Encyclopedia (1911-1917, & 1919), an executive for the Columbia Conserve Company, and a stock and bond salesman with Stone & Webster. However, he is best remembered as the Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs, BIA. He was appointed by President Roosevelt in 1933, during the New Deal.
Zimmerman remained in government service for the next 22 years. Not all of those years were spent with the BIA; he was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in May of 1950.
His many years as the Assistant Commissioner were beneficial to the interests of both the BIA and Native Americans alike. During the period of 1947 to 1950, he was acting Commissioner due to then Commissioner William A. Brophy's illness and later resignation.
Zimmerman was a highly esteemed government servant who exhibited a sincere concern for Native Americans. Consequently, he was a trusted spokesman for Native Americans.
Before his death on September 26, 1967, Zimmerman devoted his post-governmental service time to his position as head of the Washington branch of the highly influential Association on American Indian Affairs. Moreover, in keeping with his concern for natural resource management, he was involved with both the Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society. He remained faithful to the areas to which he had given so much of his time and energy during his life in government office.
During his lifetime, Zimmerman held many diversified positions before his tenure with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), including: writer and editor of the Children's Encyclopedia (1911-1917, & 1919), an executive for the Columbia Conserve Company, and a stock and bond salesman with Stone & Webster. However, he is best remembered as the Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs, BIA. He was appointed by President Roosevelt in 1933, during the New Deal.
Zimmerman remained in government service for the next 22 years. Not all of those years were spent with the BIA; he was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in May of 1950.
His many years as the Assistant Commissioner were beneficial to the interests of both the BIA and Native Americans alike. During the period of 1947 to 1950, he was acting Commissioner due to then Commissioner William A. Brophy's illness and later resignation.
Zimmerman was a highly esteemed government servant who exhibited a sincere concern for Native Americans. Consequently, he was a trusted spokesman for Native Americans.
Before his death on September 26, 1967, Zimmerman devoted his post-governmental service time to his position as head of the Washington branch of the highly influential Association on American Indian Affairs. Moreover, in keeping with his concern for natural resource management, he was involved with both the Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society. He remained faithful to the areas to which he had given so much of his time and energy during his life in government office.
Extent
19 boxes (19 cu. ft.), plus 1 oversize folder
Separated Material
Photographs have been transferred to the William Zimmerman Photograph Collection
Relevant Secondary Sources
- Zimmerman, William, Jr. "The Role of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Since 1933." Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Volume 311 [May 1957]: pp. 31-40.
- Zimmerman, William, Jr. "Some Problems Relating to Indian Treaties: Problems of Tax-Exemption." In Proceedings of the Conference on Indian Tribes and Treaties. Center for Continuation Study, University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) 1955: pp. 58-67.
- Zimmerman, William, Jr. "Economic Status of Indians in the United States." Journal of Religious Thought Volume 7 (Spring-Summer 1950): pp. 108-120.
- Zimmerman, William, Jr. "William Wrigley, Jr., The Man and His Business." (Private printing).
- Zimmerman, William, Jr. The Fort Hall Story: an Interpretation. Indian Rights Association (Philadelphia) 1959.
- Zimmerman, William, Jr. The Federal Indian Service. Department of Interior, United States Indian Service (Washington D.C.) 1950.
- Talney, Mark A. "Question Validity of Klamath Plan." Christian Century Volume 73 (July 25, 1956): pp. 882-884.
- A Reply of William Zimmerman, Jr. Christian Century (September 5, 1956): p. 1027.
- Collier, John, 1884-1968
- Dakota Indians
- Fort Hall Indian Reservation (Idaho)
- Indian reservations -- United States
- Indians of North America -- Cultural assimilation
- Indians of North America -- Education
- Indians of North America -- Government relations -- 1934-
- Indians of North America -- Medical care
- Menominee Indians
- Navajo Indians
- Peyotism
- Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (S.D.)
- Pueblo Indians -- New Mexico
- United States. Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Title
- Finding Aid of the William Zimmerman, Jr. Papers, 1933-1965
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by CSWR Staff
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 517 BC::William Zimmerman, Jr. Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss517bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 2021-05-24: 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
cswrref@unm.edu
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
cswrref@unm.edu