STUART E. ABBOTT PAPERS
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The collection spans 1943 to 2007, with Abbott's World War II correspondence from 1943 to 1945 comprising the bulk of the material. Letters of condolence, which his mother received following his death in battle are also included . Limited pencil sketches, notes and wartime memorabilia complete the collection.
Correspondence between Abbott and family members, including his mother, father, sister, aunt, uncle and grandmother comprises the bulk of the series. Limited correspondence between Abbott and friends is also included. Condolences received by Abbott's mother complete the series.
The series contains a notebook, in which Abbott recorded his observations while at Camp Hale, Colorado. A leather portfolio, which Abbott carried during combat in Italy is also included. Pencil sketches of Gibraltar, and various notes in a pamphlet on Colorado Evergreens complete the series.
Stuart Abbott's photograph album comprises the bulk of the series. The album contains black and white photographic prints that document Camp Hale, Colorado's training activities, personnel and surrounding scenery. Most photographs include Abbott's hand-written captions. The series also includes numerous loose photographs that cover similar subjects. An American Battle Monuments Commission folder contains a photograph of Abbott's grave at the Florence American Cemetery.
Dates
- 1943-2007
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
ACCESS:
The collection is open for research.
COPYRIGHT:
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Eldred Stuart Abbott, known outside of his immediate family as Stuart E. Abbott, was born February 2, 1925 in Mason City, Iowa. The son of Charles and Lurline (Eldred) Abbott, he grew up in Chicago, Illinois and often spent his summers in Clear Lake, Iowa. He graduated from high school in Chicago in 1942.
An avid naturalist, Abbott worked as a volunteer at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History while in high school. Karl P. Schmidt, Chief Curator of Zoology for the museum, provided Abbott a letter of recommendation for the 10th Mountain Division, and Abbott maintained his correspondence with the museum during his training at Camp Hale, Colorado.
Abbott was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and planned to become a naturalist following World War II. He was a keen observer who kept in-depth journals filled with field notes, observations and sketches of trees, birds, animals and landscapes. In part, Abbott volunteered for the 10th Mountain Division "ski troops" to gain additional wilderness experience.
Abbott joined the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, Colorado, where he was assigned to the 86th Infantry Regiment, Company L. He also served at Camp Swift, Texas and in Italy. Abbott was killed in action on Mount Gorgolesco, near Querciola, Italy on February 20, 1945 a few days after his twentieth birthday. He is interred at the American Cemetery in Florence, Italy.
Extent
1 Boxes (.5 linear feet)
1 Photo OVBoxes
Other Finding Aids
PROVENANCE:
Gift; Molly Kealy (sister); 1998-1999. Gift; Abbie Kealy (niece); 2006, 2008, and August 12, 2012.
SIZE:
Number of Boxes: 1 (.5 linear feet)
Number of Photo OVBoxes: 1
LOCATION:
TMD50
PROCESSED BY:
Dennis Hagen
June 2009
Revised August 2012
PROJECT MANAGER:
Abby Hoverstock
- Abbott, Stuart Eldred, 1925-1945 -- Archives.
- Camp Hale (Colo.) Subject Source: Lcnaf
- Camp Swift (Tex.) Subject Source: Lcnaf
- Correspondence. Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Diaries. Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Photographs. Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Ski troops. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Soldiers -- United States -- Correspondence. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. -- Army. -- Infantry Regiment, 86th.
- United States. -- Army. -- Mountain Division, 10th.
- Title
- STUART E. ABBOTT PAPERS
- Date
- REVISED AUGUST 2012
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Repository
