William Foxwell Albright papers, [ca. 1920]-1971

Mss.B.AL15p

Date: [Circa 1920]-1971 | Size: 51 Linear feet
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Abstract

This collection contains largely correspondence (27 ln. ft.), mostly of a professional nature but there are some family or personal letters including extensive correspondence with Samuel Geiser. In addition, the collection contains drafts or copies of Albright's talks, supporting correspondence, etc.; his publications, field work, etc.; and material (documents, diaries, photos) portraying the Timna expedition,1950-1951, in South Arabia. There is also significant documentation on the American School of Oriental Research in Jerusalem beyond his years as Director (it was renamed the William Foxwell Albright Institute of Archaeological Research a year before his death). On the whole this collection documents in great detail the course of Albright's life as the leading Orientalist of his age.

Background note

William Foxwell Albright was an Orientalist, archaeologist, and linguist. After receiving his Ph.D. from John Hopkins in 1916, he took a professorship there in 1927, and then served as the W. W. Spence Professor of Semitic Languages, 1930-1958. As the Director of the American School of Oriental Research in Jerusalem, 1922-1929 and then 1933-1936, he accomplished important archaeological work and excavated at the , excavating, for example, at such significant sites in Palestine as Gibeah (Tell el-Fûl, 1922) and Tell Beit Mirsim (1933-1936). In addition, Albright contributed to the the interpretation of the Qumrân, or Dead Sea, scrolls.

Albright held many prestigious significant organizational positions, such as the presidency of: Palestinian Exploration Society (1921-1922, 1934-1935); American Oriental Society (1935-1936); Socierature (1938-39); and the International Organization of Old Testament Scholars (1956-1957). He also served on various committees of the American Philosophical Society, in particular the Research Committee.

Collection Information

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access:

Literary rights in the collection have been retained by the descendants of Dr. Albright.

Provenance

Presented by David F. Albright, Hugh N. Albright, Paul N. Albright, and Stephen F. Albright and accessioned, 1979.

Indexing Terms


Corporate Name(s)

  • American Oriental Society
  • American Philosophical Society
  • American School of Oriental Research in Jerusalem
  • International Organization of Old Testament Scholars
  • Palestinian Exploration Society
  • W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research

Genre(s)

  • Field notes.
  • Photoprints.

Geographic Name(s)

  • Chiapas (Mexico) -- Religion
  • Israel -- Antiquities.
  • Qumran Site (West Bank)

Subject(s)

  • Archaeology
  • Excavations (Archaeology) -- Israel.
  • Excavations (Archaeology) -- West Bank.
  • Excavations (Archaeology) -- Yemen.
  • Jews -- Antiquities.
  • Oriental antiquities.
  • Semitic languages


Detailed Inventory

Box 1 Personal and family papers, accounts, photos, etc.
  1 box Box 1
 Correspondence, 1920-1935
1920-1935 600 item(s) Box 2:
Box 2
 Correspondence, 1925-1932
1925-1932 400 item(s) Box 3
 Personal correspondence, 1936
1936 300 item(s) Box 4
 Correspondence, 1938-1940
1938-1940 400 item(s) Box 5
 Correspondence, 1941
1941 500 item(s) Box 6
 Correspondence, 1941-1942
1941-1942 600 item(s) Box 7
 Correspondence, 1941-1951
1941-1951 500 item(s) Box 8
 Correspondence, 1942
1942 Box 9
 Correspondence, 1943
1943 400 item(s)
 Correspondence, 1943-1944
1943-1944 500 item(s) Box 11
 Correspondence, 1944
1944 500 item(s) Box 12
 Correspondence, 1945
  600 item(s) Box 13
 Correspondence, 1945-1967
1945-1967 400 item(s) Box 14
 Correspondence, 1945-1959
1945-1959 400 item(s) Box 15
 Correspondence, 1946
1946 500 item(s) Box 16
 Correspondence, 1946-1952
1946-1952 400 item(s) Box 17
 Correspondence, 1947
1947 500 item(s) Box 18
 Correspondence, 1948
1948 600 item(s) Box 19
 Correspondence, 1948
1948 300 item(s) Box 20
 Correspondence, 1949
1949 600 item(s) Box 21
 Correspondence, 1950
1950 600 item(s) Box 22
 Correspondence, 1951
1951 600 item(s) Box 23
 Correspondence, 1952
1952 600 item(s) Box 24
 Correspondence, 1953
1953 500 item(s) Box 25
 Maps
  2 folder(s)

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