"Soldier Historian", 1985

File — Box: 3, Folder: 21

Identifier: I

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Series: The first six boxes of this collection contain personal material, ranging from 1934 to 1996. Madsen's correspondence, found in boxes 1 and 2, spans his career from his acceptance of a Brigham Young University associate professorship in the late 1940s to his 1984 retirement from the University of Utah. His subsequent activities as a lecturer and author are also documented. Although these files contain references to Madsen's activities as a builder, consultant, and administrator, the bulk of the correspondence is from the 1980s and is concerned with his activities as an author and university professor. Many of the letters refer to the history and culture of the Shoshone Indians and to Mormon theology and the policies of the LDS Church. Although the bulk of the correspondence is letters received, some outgoing correspondence remains, either in the form of carbon copies or Madsen's handwritten drafts. There are a few third-party letters, usually written or received by close friends such as Everett Cooley or Sterling McMurrin. The correspondence is organized chronologically, with undated correspondence filed in box 2, folders 24-25

Box 3 contains photocopies of Madsen's missionary and armed forces diaries, a few autobiographical pieces, and some biographical information. Also included are sketches penned by Madsen for various memorial services. A manuscript of Wood Chips and Chalk Dust, a 1996 version of Madsen's autobiography, is located in box 4. Madsen's own description of the manuscript, written in the third person, is in folder 1. An earlier version of this document, dated 1985, was bound and distributed to members of the Madsen family. A revised manuscript, donated in 1997, is located in box 134. The Richard Poll interview located in box 4, folders 24-25 was conducted in 1988 under the auspices of the BYU Emeritus Club, and concerns Madsen's experiences at that University.

Dates

1985

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.