Biographical Information on Frank K. Walter

The Science & Engineering Library at Sciweb

Biographical Information on Frank Kellogg Walter

University of Minnesota Archives

There is an abundance of material regarding Frank K. Walter in the University Archives collection. They have a large biographical file on Walter (clippings, obituaries, tributes, etc.), many of his publications (including a 2-volume unpublished work on the history of the University Libraries), as well as several boxes of Walter's papers, which include correspondence files, teaching materials, and other primary source materials. Documents held in the University Archives are not available as electronic documents, nor is there an online catalog of their holdings at this time.

The University Archives is open from 8:30-4:30 M-F and is located at:

218 Elmer Andersen Library
222 21st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55427
612-624-0562
University Libraries "About the Libraries" Page

There is a nice biography written by the University Archivist in the University Libraries' "About the Libraries" page at http://www.lib.umn.edu/about/ul-walter.phtml.
From Spring 2002 Friends of the Library Newsletter

Frank K. Walter held the position of University Librarian from 1921 until his retirement in 1943. The new library under construction when he was appointed would be named Walter Library in 1959 to honor him. It was one of the largest academic libraries in the United States and was noted for its architectural beauty and its function. Walter was a visionary who not only built a remarkable research library but also saw the coming need for trained librarians. He initiated the first training programs for bio-medical librarians in the nation. Walter served as the head of the Library School when it opened in 1924. On Walter's retirement, Errett W. McDiarmid was named University Librarian.

by Penny Krosch, Curator, University Archives
From Winter 2002 Inventing Tomorrow Newsletter

An article by Mary Coons on Frank Kellogg Walter can be found in the Winter 2002 issue of Inventing Tomorrow at http://www.it.umn.edu/inventing/02winter/retrospect.html.

Comments: Andrea Halverson
Revised: July 9, 2003
URL: http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu/walter/frankwalterbio.html
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