Thorstina Jackson Walters and Émile Walters Papers,
Collection
Identifier: Mss 630
Scope and Content
The Thorstina (Jackson) and Émile Walters Papers consists of the papers of Thorstina and Émile Walters, with those of Mrs. Walters being larger. Mrs. Walters' papers have been divided into six series: correspondence, manuscripts, subject, biographical files, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings.
The Correspondence Series, which includes both incoming and outgoing letters, is arranged chronologically, dating from 1918 to 1958. The correspondence covers mainly the period from 1940 to 1956, dealing with her research and book Modern Sagas. It includes letters from Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Senator John F. Kennedy, Margaret Truman, Gov. Thomas Dewey, Lowell Thomas, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
The Manuscripts Series of Mrs. Walters are typed copies arranged alphabetically by title, and include her father's handwritten manuscripts in Icelandic for the books he published.
The Subject Files Series contain a variety of material, mostly Icelandic related, including a diary dating from 1884 to 1887, which is written in Icelandic by a North Dakota pioneer.
The Biographical Files Series contain a variety of manuscripts, newspaper clippings, and some correspondence on prominent individuals of Icelandic descent.
The Pamphlets Series, arranged alphabetically by subject, cover a wide range of topics, again mostly Icelandic related.
The Newspaper Clippings Series, also extensive, have been arranged by subject, with the largest files covering Mrs. Walters' career, plus reviews of Modern Sagas.
The Émile Walters Papers are divided into two series: Correspondence and Subject Files. The Correspondence Series, both incoming and outgoing, is arranged chronologically and covers mainly the years from 1940 to 1949. The Subject Files Series includes articles and newspaper clippings on Mr. Walters' career and about Theodore Roosevelt.
The Correspondence Series, which includes both incoming and outgoing letters, is arranged chronologically, dating from 1918 to 1958. The correspondence covers mainly the period from 1940 to 1956, dealing with her research and book Modern Sagas. It includes letters from Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Senator John F. Kennedy, Margaret Truman, Gov. Thomas Dewey, Lowell Thomas, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
The Manuscripts Series of Mrs. Walters are typed copies arranged alphabetically by title, and include her father's handwritten manuscripts in Icelandic for the books he published.
The Subject Files Series contain a variety of material, mostly Icelandic related, including a diary dating from 1884 to 1887, which is written in Icelandic by a North Dakota pioneer.
The Biographical Files Series contain a variety of manuscripts, newspaper clippings, and some correspondence on prominent individuals of Icelandic descent.
The Pamphlets Series, arranged alphabetically by subject, cover a wide range of topics, again mostly Icelandic related.
The Newspaper Clippings Series, also extensive, have been arranged by subject, with the largest files covering Mrs. Walters' career, plus reviews of Modern Sagas.
The Émile Walters Papers are divided into two series: Correspondence and Subject Files. The Correspondence Series, both incoming and outgoing, is arranged chronologically and covers mainly the years from 1940 to 1949. The Subject Files Series includes articles and newspaper clippings on Mr. Walters' career and about Theodore Roosevelt.
Dates
- 1918-1959.
Creator
- Walters, Emile, 1893-1977. (Person)
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection are not held by the NDSU Archives.
Biography
Thorstina Jackson was born, according to the 1910 Census, July 1887 in Pembina County, N.D., the daughter of Icelandic immigrants, Thorleifur Jóakimsson and Gudrún (Jónsdóttir) Jackson. In 1903, the family homesteaded near Leslie, Saskatchewan. Thorstina attended United College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she obtained a B.A. in modern languages. She taught several years at the high school and junior college level and following World War I, she served as a social worker in France and Germany. In 1924, Thorstina did post-graduate work at Columbia University and began her lecture and writing career. In 1926, she lectured in Iceland on the Icelandic settlements in America, for which she received the Icelandic Order of the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Falcon, from King Kristian of Denmark and Iceland. In 1928, Miss Jackson married Émile Walters. For having taken a prominent part in the Millennial Celebration in Iceland in 1930, Mrs. Walters was awarded the Order of the Millennial Celebration. From 1933 to 1942, Thorstina was employed as a social worker for the New York City Department of Welfare, and thereafter served in the Censorship and War Information Department until June 1944. She was then forced to resign due to the advancement of multiple sclerosis. That same year, Mrs. Walters was awarded a fellowship from the University of Minnesota to compile a history of the Icelandic settlements in North Dakota, which resulted in her book, Modern Sagas, published in 1953. In 1926, Thorstina had published Saga Íslendinga Nordur-Dakota and in 1930, she had translated and prepared for publication Matthias Thordarson's Vinland Voyages. Mrs. Walters also did a considerable amount of free-lance writing. She lived with her husband, Émile, on their farm at Poughkeepsie, New York, until her death on February 2, 1959.
Émile Walters was born at Winnipeg, Manitoba, on January 31, 1893, the son of Icelandic immigrants, Paul and Bjorg (Jónsdóttir) Valtyr. Since his father died very young, Émile was brought to Gardar, North Dakota, in 1898, where he grew up, and later became a naturalized United States citizen. Having always wanted to become a painter, Émile studied at the Art Institute in Chicago, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the Tiffany Foundation.
In 1928, he married Thorstina Jackson. Mr. Walters became a well-known landscape artist, especially noted as a painter of Iceland and Greenland. He exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States, Canada, and England. His works of art are represented in permanent collections throughout the world including the Smithsonian Institution, Fogg Museum, the National Museum of Iceland, and the University Museum at Bangkok, Thailand. He has received many prizes and decorations, including the Icelandic Order, and the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Falcon, in 1939, from King Kristian of Denmark and Iceland. Mr. Walters died in 1977.
Émile Walters was born at Winnipeg, Manitoba, on January 31, 1893, the son of Icelandic immigrants, Paul and Bjorg (Jónsdóttir) Valtyr. Since his father died very young, Émile was brought to Gardar, North Dakota, in 1898, where he grew up, and later became a naturalized United States citizen. Having always wanted to become a painter, Émile studied at the Art Institute in Chicago, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the Tiffany Foundation.
In 1928, he married Thorstina Jackson. Mr. Walters became a well-known landscape artist, especially noted as a painter of Iceland and Greenland. He exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States, Canada, and England. His works of art are represented in permanent collections throughout the world including the Smithsonian Institution, Fogg Museum, the National Museum of Iceland, and the University Museum at Bangkok, Thailand. He has received many prizes and decorations, including the Icelandic Order, and the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Falcon, in 1939, from King Kristian of Denmark and Iceland. Mr. Walters died in 1977.
Extent
1.4 Linear Feet (1.4 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Icelandic
Abstract
The Thorstina Jackson Walters papers includes her research chronicling the Icelandic American community and their heritage in America. Her husband Émile Walters, was a well-known landscape artist.
Provenance
Donated by Émile and Thorstina Walters, Poughkeepsie, New York, March 4, April 8,
May 1, 1956 (Acc. 630).
Separated Books (Institute book collection)
Saga Íslendinga i Nordur-Dakota, by Thorstina Jackson Walters, Winipeg, Canada, 1926
Separated Newspapers (Institute newspaper collection)
Fálkinn, Reykjavik, Iceland, Altingis-hatidin 930-1930, June 21, 1930
Löberg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 60th Anniversary edition, September 25, 1946
Heimskringla, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 60th Anniversary edition, September 25, 1946 (Incomplete)
Löberg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 60th Anniversary edition, September 25, 1946
Heimskringla, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 60th Anniversary edition, September 25, 1946 (Incomplete)
Separated Photographs (Institute photograph collection)
The collection (475 items) includes photographs and post cards covering a wide variety of subjects to include Iceland, famous Icelanders and Icelandic-Americans, Icelandic
settlements in America, the Millennial Celebration and Icelandic Art.
Separated Paintings (Institute paintings collection)
Painting by Émile Walters, done early in his career, 16x20 cm.
Separated Artifacts (Institute artifacts collection)
Sterling silver spoon with the letter "E," made by Paul Valtyr and given to his son,
Émile Walters, on the occasion of showing his first tooth.
Property rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Creator
- Walters, Emile, 1893-1977. (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Thorstina Jackson Walters & Émile Walters Papers
- Description rules
- Appm
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu