The papers, 1899-1962, of editor, lexicographer, author, and lecturer Everett Edward Thompson (1876-1962) primarily document his 1905 trip to Indonesia and subsequent lectures delivered from 1913-1919 and 1956. Portions of the papers are photocopies. Included are obituaries; a portrait photograph dated 1899; portions of a travel journal; announcements, notes, and 132 glass stereopticons assembled in preparation for lectures on Indonesia; a letter; printed material and clippings related to language and the Webster-Merriam dictionaries; and a handwritten copy of Irene Kuhn's 1961 news article on the early history of U.S. field teaching in the Philippines.
Scope and Contents:
The papers, 1899-1962, of editor, lexicographer, author, and lecturer Everett Edward Thompson (1876-1962) primarily document his 1905 trip to Indonesia and subsequent lectures delivered from 1913-1919 and 1956. Portions of the papers are photocopies. Included are obituaries; a portrait photograph dated 1899; portions of a travel journal; announcements, notes, and 132 glass stereopticons assembled in preparation for lectures on Indonesia; a letter; printed material and clippings related to language and the Webster-Merriam dictionaries; and a handwritten copy of Irene Kuhn's 1961 news article on the early history of U.S. field teaching in the Philippines. Total: 151 items
Arrangement note:
Series 1: -- Biographical Data
Series 2: -- Portrait Photograph
Series 3: -- Travel Journal
Series 4: -- Lecture notes and announcements
Series 5: -- Letter
Series 6: -- Printed Matter
Series 7: -- Lantern Slides
Biographical Information:
Editor, lexicographer, author, and lecturer Everett Edward Thompson was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in1876. He received an A.B. degree from Amherst College in 1899. From 1901-1905 Thompson fufilled an appointment to a government teaching position in the Philippines. In 1905 he traveled from Manila to Singapore, and then to Burma, India, Ceylon, Java, the Straits Settlements, and Japan. From 1905 to 1909 he was part of the editorial staff of the G&C Merriam Company, publisher of the Webster-Merriam dictionaries, Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1907 he married Emily Lecretia Bettes and two years later in 1909 received an M.A. from Amherst College where he wrote a thesis on, "The Spanish Element in the English Language." From 1910-1920 Thomspon served as editor of foreign language textbooks, American Book Company, New York City. In 1920 he received honorary doctor of letters (Litt. D) from Syracuse University. That same year Thompson rejoined the Webster dictionary editorial staff of G&C Merriam Company, Springfield, Massachusetts where he remained until 1949. Everett Edward Thompson died 1962 March 24 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
1876 June 20 -- Born in Springfield, Massachusetts
1899 -- Received A.B. degree from Amherst College
1901-1905 -- Appointed government teaching position in the Philippines
1905 -- Traveled from Manila to Singapore, and then to Burma, India, Ceylon, Java, the Straits Settlements, and Japan
1905-1909 -- Joined editorial staff of the G&C Merriam Company, publisher of the Webster-Merriam dictionaries, Springfield, Massachusetts
1907 -- Married Emily Lecretia Bettes
1909 -- Received M.A. from Amherst College. Thesis on, "The Spanish Element in the English Language."
1910-1920 -- Editor of foreign language textbooks, American Book Company, New York City
1913 -- Birth of son Ronald
1920 -- Received honorary doctor of letters (Litt. D) from Syracuse University
1920-1949 -- Re-joined the Webster dictionary editorial staff of G&C Merriam Company, Springfield, Massachusetts
1962 March 24 -- Died in Springfield, Massachusetts
Provenance:
The collection was donated to the National Museum of Asian Art Archives by Everett Edward Thompson's son, Ronald Thompson, in 1991.
Everett Edward Thompson Papers, FSA.A.1991.05. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Gift of Ronald Thompson, 1991.