Item: Datus C. Proper papers, 1864-2003
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Finding Aid Title: Datus C. Proper papers, 1864-2003
Finding Aid Collection Number: 2502
Date Range of Collection: 1864-2003
Creator of Materials: Proper, Datus C.
Content Description: The Datus C. Proper papers consist of journals, correspondence, family history documents, literary manuscript drafts, galley proofs, research notes, publisher correspondence, photographs and other memorabilia which document Proper's life as a student, United States Foreign Service officer, and outdoor writer. The family history documents include materials pertaining to Proper's extended family ancestors, including notes and clippings about Ida Sedgwick Proper, and the Civil War diary of Datus DeWitt Proper, corporal, 19th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Datus Proper's own journals document his early interest in fly fishing and hunting, containing both diary-like entries and miscellaneous notes that he later used in his published writings. The manuscript drafts encompass many, but not all, of Proper's articles for such magazines as Field and Stream, and his four full length books. A research vertical file of clippings and miscellaneous notes maintained by Proper for reference purposes has also been preserved within this collection, along with a small collection of photographs, some of which were used to illustrate Proper's published articles. The subjects of Proper's writings encompass the full spectrum of fly fishing for trout, from stream side entomology to the ethics of catch and release angling. Hunting, particularly pheasant hunting and the training of dogs for the sport, is another subject heavily represented. Proper also wrote on Portugal, a country in which he had served during his career with the State Department, and in addition to his writings he saved some letters and documents written in Portugese. Correspondents found in this collection include Vince Marinaro, Nick Lyons, Paul Schullery, and other prominent fly fishing and hunting writers. The entire collection has been organized into nine series consisting based primarily on document type. Oversize material from all series has been placed in Box 17 and includes topographical maps marked with locations of Proper's hunting and fishing trips, certificates and awards, and a series of tracings done from from fish that Proper caught and measured.
Finding Aid URL: http://nwda.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv90805
Keywords: trout and salmonids, genealogy and family histories, personal journals and diaries, historical photographs, maps, 19th iowa volunteer infantry, american civil war, datus dewitt proper, personal letters, united states foreign service officers, ida sedgewic
Subjects: Trout, Salmonids, and Angling History
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