Murphy DeWitt Smith Travel Journals and Slides
This collection consists of travel journals and slides that Murphy DeWitt Smith and various travel companions created to document their travels around the world. Until 1971, Smith usually travelled with his brother, Robert Neill Smith. He also travelled with other siblings, with friends, and alone. Series I: Travel Journals, 1960-1985 consists of narrative accounts of Smith's travels illustrated with postcards, photographs, and other materials. Series II: Slides, 1964-1990 documents numerous of Smith's trips in photographic form.
Dates
- 1960-1990
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
20.5 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection consists of travel journals and slides that Murphy Smith and various travel companions created to document their travels around the world.
Biographical/Historical Note
Murphy DeWitt Smith, Jr. was born to Murphy DeWitt Smith, Sr. and Damie Hogan Smith (d. 1968) on October 16, 1920 in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the third youngest of 10 children: Margaret Big Sis Cates (born about 1906), Harry (born about 1909), F. Eleanor (born about 1911), Evelyn Evy Caldwell (born about 1914), Avis Abie Byers McDonald (born about 1916), William (born about 1918), Albert Lester (born about 1923), Robert Neill (born in 1924), and C. Leonard (born about 1927). Murphy Smith began his undergraduate education at Carson-Newman College and transferred to the University of Tennessee in 1945. He graduated with his BA in 1948, and again with his MA in 1949. He continuted on to work toward his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. It is unclear when he began working for American Philosophical Society Library in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but he remained in this position until his retirement. Smith also enjoyed travelling, and kept journals and slides documenting his trips around the world both alone and with various of his siblings. Smith died on October 16, 2008.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged in two series:
Missing Title
- Series I: Travel Journals, 1960-1985
- Series II: Slides, 1964-1990
Loose materials have been removed from the Travel Journals and placed in a separate folder.
Acquisition Note
Murphy DeWitt Smith donated this collection to the Special Collections Library in December 2005.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository