sample Robert Theodore Meyer Papers An inventory of The Robert Theodore Meyer Papers at The American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives Finding aid prepared by Raymond Moore. The American Catholic Research Center and University Archives 2013
101 Aquinas HallThe Catholic University of AmericaWashington, D.C. 20064
 Finding aid encoded by Raymond Moore on 2013 English Descriptive Summary The American Catholic Research Center and University Archives 1905-1986 Robert Theodore Meyer Robert Theodore Meyer Papers 12.25 linear feet; 22 boxes Robert Theodore Meyer (1911-1987), a native of Ohio, graduated from John Carroll University with an M.A. in classical languages and a doctorate in classics at Michigan University. He first came to The Catholic University of America (CUA) in 1947 as an instructor in German and comparative philology. He became assistant professor, then associate professor, full professor, and finally, in 1953, he became chair of the Celtic Studies Department. He gained the title of Professor Emeritus of the Department of Modern Languages from CUA in 1976 when he retired. His personal papers, which includes his diaries, correspondence, postcards, research notes as well as different manuscripts from works that he had written. Lastly, there are a collection of his personal publications as well as newspaper clippings. 62 English Biographical Note

Robert Theodore Meyer was born on August 6, 1911 to Louis and Clara Meyer in Cleveland, Ohio. As a child he attended local Catholic schools and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1929, with a focus in Classics. He then attended John Carroll University in Cleveland where he got his bachelor's and master's degrees in Classical Languages and Philosophy, in 1933 and 1934, respectively. Following his graduation, Meyer worked for the Baker Publishing Company while researching on a fellowship in Classics and German Philology at Western Reserve University. In 1937, he married Dorothy E. Deex in Berea, Ohio; they would have four children and remained married until Meyer's death.

After four years at Western Reserve, Meyer began his doctoral work at the University of Michigan in 1939, and received his Ph.D. in 1943 in Indo-European Linguistics. His dissertation was a study of the sources for the fourteenth century text, "Sonyhurst Medulla". Due to a condition of high myopia Meyer did not serve during World War II but worked for the engineering department of the King-Seeley Corporation from 1943 to 1946. During the early forties he also received several fellowships at the Linguistics Institute at the University of Michigan as well at the University of North Carolina. After spending one year as an English Philology instructor at St. Louis University, he became an instructor of Comparative Philology at The Catholic University of America (CUA) in 1947.

During his career at CUA he held the Order of the Hibernians Chair in Celtic Studies from 1953-1976, he took over following the death of James A. Geary in 1953. Meyer was versed in Latin, Greek, Celtic, early Christian writings, German, and Icelandic. He also served as a fellow from 1947-1950 at John Hopkins University where he researched Romance Philology, Sanskrit, and Old Icelandic. He also taught English there from 1948-1949. He also spent three summers at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies in Celtic Philology, 1953-1955. This is where he published his most important work, "Merugud Uilix Meic Leirtis", in 1958.

Meyer also published works on the Life of St. Anthony, St. Athanasius, and the life of St. John Chrysostom. He also lectured at Jesus College, Oxford, in Celtic Studies in 1961, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, as well as a semester at Harvard University in 1970. MHe was a member of many linguistic organizations including; The Linguistic Society of America, The Medieval Academy of America, The Modern Language Association of America, and the American Philological Association. Also a devout Catholic he was ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1971, for Campus Ministry at Catholic University.

At the age of sixty-five Meyer retired from Catholic University, following his retirement he split his time in Washington and Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. He continued to teach a course a semester at CUA and continued his research at CUA and abroad. Robert Theodore Meyer died on October 3, 1987 in Swansea, Wales, after a bout of encephalitis. At the time of his death he had been touring Wales following a conference he attended. Meyer was considered at the time of his death one of the leading experts in Celtic Studies and Comparative Philology.

 Scope and Contents

The Robert Theodore Meyer Papers has nine series.

The first series are two boxes of Meyer's personal diaries of his daily activities. Most of the information therein is related to research that he was conducting each particular day as well as meetings and events he was going to attend.

The second series contains postcards and notes that were originally in his diaries. Most of these are from friends of his traveling abroad, as well as ticket stubs and travel materials that he saved from his trips in Europe as well as around the United States.

The third series contains four boxes of academic correspondences. These are mainly with universities that Meyer was working with as well as correspondence within Catholic University.

The fourth series contains business correspondence, with three boxes mainly concerning travel arrangements, as well as correspondence with different academic organizations. There is also some correspondence with the Order of the Ancient Hibernians (AOH), which funded the department Meyer chaired.

The fifth series contains two boxes of Meyer's personal correspondence. Most of these are with family and friends from different academic circles as well as former classmates of his from his years at John Carroll University and the University of Michigan.

The sixth series contains correspondence from research that Meyer did as well as his notes from that research, mostly on Celtic Philology as well as Anglo-Saxon and Medieval texts.

The seventh series are Meyer's manuscripts of works that he published as well as a few unpublished manuscripts. Most of these manuscripts are on Celtic Philology, as well as a copy of his dissertation and a reprint of his book "Megund Uilix Meic Leirtis".

The eighth series has financial records, which includes receipts, banking forms, and correspondences.

The final series has three boxes of publications that include personal publications as well as clippings he had collected through the years. There are also a few books and pamphlets on different philological writings.

Overall, the Robert Theodore Meyer Papers is a useful collection for any researcher doing work on Celtic Studies or philology.

 Arrangement

The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities consists of three series:

Series 1: Personal Diaries, 1932-1983, Boxes 1-2 Series 2: Postcards and Personal Notes, 1932-1983, Box 3 Series 3: Academic Correspondence, 1931-1985, Boxes 4-7 Series 4: Business Correspondence, 1935-1984, Boxes 8-10 Series 5: Personal Correspondence, 1928-1986, Box 11-12 Series 6: Research Notes and Correspondence, 1905-1985 Box 13-17 Series 7: Manuscripts, n.d-1982, Box 18-19 Series 8: Financials, 1934-1985, Box 20 Series 9: Publications, 1915-1985, Box 20-22 Restrictions on Access

None

 Related Material

Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Persons: James Aloysius Geary Bernard Mann Peebles Organizations: The Catholic University of America Oxford University Order of the Ancient Hibernians Places: Washington, DC Dublin, Ireland Oxford, England Subjects: Celtic Philology Gaelic Irish Studies Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the CUA Archives after Meyer's death in October of 1987.

 Processing Information

Processing completed in 2013 by Raymond Moore. EAD markup completed in 2013 by Raymond Moore.

Bibliography "Academic Vice President Letter" Announcing Meyer's Death October 6, 1987

"Catholic Standard Obituary" October 15, 1987

"Washington Post Obituary" October 7, 1987

"16 to be Ordained Permanent Deacons Here" Catholic Standard September 9, 1971

"Personal Curriculum Vitae" September 1, 1981

Detailed Description of the Collection Series 1: Personal Diaries, 1932-1983 (2 Boxes)

Personal diaries, with most of the entries concerning daily research as well as his personal schedule. Also included are entries concerning family and friends.

1 1 Diary, 1932

1 2 Diary, 1933-1934

1 3 Diary, 1934-1935

1 4 Diary, 1935-1936

1 5 Diary, 1936

1 6 Diary, 1937

1 7 Diary, 1939

1 8 Diary, 1940

1 9 Diary, 1943

1 10 Diary, 1944

1 11 Diary, 1945

1 12 Diary, 1946

1 13 Diary, 1947

1 14 Diary, 1948

1 15 Diary, 1949

1 16 Diary, 1950

1 17 Diary, 1951

1 18 Diary, 1952

1 19 Diary, 1953 1 20 Diary, 1954 1 21 Diary, 1955

1 22 Diary, 1956

1 23 Diary, 1957

1 24 Diary, 1958

1 25 Diary, 1959

1 26 Diary, 1960

1 27 Diary, 1961

1 28 Diary, 1962

1 29 Diary, 1963

1 30 Diary, 1964

1 31 Diary, 1965

1 32 Diary, 1966

1 33 Diary, 1967

1 34 Diary, 1968

1 35 Diary, 1969

1 36 Diary, 1970

1 37 Diary, 1971

1 38 Diary, 1972

2 1 Diary, 1973

2 2 Diary, 1974

2 3 Diary, 1975

2 4 Diary, 1976

2 5 Diary, 1977

2 6 Diary, 1978

2 7 Diary, 1979

2 8 Diary, 1980

2 9 Diary, 1981

2 10 Diary, 1982

2 11 Diary, 1983

Series 2: Postcards and Notes, 1932-1983 (1 Box)

Notes, clippings, postcards, and travel materials that were pulled from Meyer's diaries. Most of these are from friends or are travel items such as bus ticket stubs. There is also a folder of photos, mostly of himself, family and friends.

 3 1 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1932-1985

3 2 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1932-1985

3 3 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1932-1985

3 4 Personal Photos, 1940-1983

3 5 Postcards and Notes, 1932-1983

3 6 Prayer Card, n.d

This was a perpetual membership in the St. Columban's Society for Meyer's parents following his mother's death in 1962.

 Series 3: Academic Correspondence, 1931-1985 (4 Boxes)

Ccorrespondences with different academic institutions, such as Harvard University, Oxford University, and John Hopkins University. There are also correspondence with friends within academia from his alma maters as well as various Celtic Studies programs. Lastly, there is correspondence within Catholic University with academics and administrators.

 4 1 Academic Correspondence, 1952-1958

4 2 Academic Correspondence, 1947-1982

Also includes correspondences from CUA

 4 3 Academic Correspondence, 1967-1976

4 4 Academic Correspondence, 1962

Mainly correspondence with Oxford University

 4 5 Academic Correspondences, 1954-1978

4 6 Academic Correspondence, 1938-1979

Includes correspondences concerning his doctoral work at the University of Michigan

 4 7 Academic Correspondence, 1948-1974

5 1 Academic Correspondence, 1969-1979

5 2 Academic Correspondence, 1931-1947

Includes correspondence dating back to Meyer's undergraduate tenure through earning his doctorate as well as with CUA when he was hired by the university in 1947.

 5 3 Academic Correspondence, 1942-1973

Mainly CUA correspondence

 5 4 CUA Events Correspondence, 1956-1974

Invitations and correspondence inviting Meyer to lectures and events on campus

 5 5 Correspondence Addressed to CUA Office, 1980-1982

5 6 CUA Correspondence 1945-1956

Includes correspondence with the university for research prior to being hired

 5 7 CUA Related Correspondence, 1974-1976

5 8 CUA Correspondence, 1963-1964

5 9 Oxford University Correspondence, 1963-1981

6 1 Oxford Correspondence, 1961-1969

all typed

 6 2 Faculty Correspondence, 1947-1975

Mainly with various academic friends of Meyer

 6 3 University Correspondence, 1975-1978

6 4 University Correspondence, 1967-1981 6 5 University Correspondence, 1953-1977 6 6 Celtic Studies Correspondence, 1957-1963

6 7 Celtic Studies Correspondence, 1982 7 1 Department Correspondence, 1981 7 2 Irish Language Library Correspondence, 1974-1977

Includes correspondence with CUA libraries as well as Oxford

 7 3 Celtic Studies Correspondence, 1966-1984

7 4 Celtic Philology Correspondence, 1960-1963

7 5 Irish Studies Correspondence, 1982-1983

7 6 Medieval Society Correspondence, 1981-1982

7 7 American Catholic History Society Correspondence, 1982-1985

7 8 Teaching Correspondence, 1985

7 9 Teaching Correspondence, 1958-1982

Mainly CUA correspondence concerning classes Meyer was teaching

 7 10 Teaching Correspondence, 1979-1981

Series 4: Business Correspondence, 1935-1984 3 Boxes

Correspondences with organizations that Meyer was involved with as well as with different publishers. There are also correspondences concerning travel arrangements.

 8 1 Ancient Order of Hibernians Correspondence, 1961-1971

Two copies

 8 2 Linguistic Society of America, 1935-1958

8 3 Patristic Society Correspondence, 1982

8 4 Travel Correspondence, 1960-1980

Includes correspondence with Newman Press concerning book purchases for the Celtic Studies Department

 8 5 Publisher Correspondence, 1941-1981

8 6 Letters to the Editor, 1955-1962

Mainly for corrections of improper use of Irish names, or incorrect Irish history

 8 7 Miscellaneous Business Correspondence, 1949-1953

9 1 Publisher Correspondence, 1961-1964

9 2 Publishing Correspondence, 1959

9 3 Departmental Correspondence, 1969-1976

9 4 Rare Books Correspondence, 1932-1979

Work with rare books throughout Meyer's academic career

 9 5 Organizational Correspondence, 1971-1976

9 6 Columbia School of Broadcasting Correspondence, 1972

9 7 Donation Correspondence, 1984-1985

9 8 Travel Correspondence, 1968-1979

Mainly concerns arrangements

 10 1 Cunard Lines Correspondence, 1953

For Ireland sabbatical trip

 10 2 Travel Correspondence, 1976-1981

10 3 Travel Correspondence, 1938-1984

10 4 Travel Correspondence, 1946-1981

Series 5: Personal Correspondence, 1928-1986 2 Boxes

Personal correspondence with friends and family. There are invitations to events such as banquets and lectures.

 11 1 Invitations and Correspondence, 1980-1983

11 2 Library Correspondence, 1965-1967

Correspondence with friends at CUA libraries and Oxford

 11 3 Event Invitations and Correspondence, 1982-1983

11 4 Ireland Correspondence, 1963-1964

11 5 Harpers Ferry Correspondence, 1975-1980

Correspondence from Meyer's summer residence in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

 11 6 Family Correspondence, 1928-1979

11 7 Personal Correspondence, 1958-1979

11 8 Personal Correspondence, 1942-1950

12 1 Personal Correspondence, 1950-1956

12 2 Personal Correspondence, 1948-1986

12 3 Personal Correspondence, 1949-1979

12 4 Personal Correspondence, 1944-1980

12 5 Personal Correspondence, 1934-1978

Series 6: Research Notes and Correspondence, 1905-1985 5 Boxes

Research notes with some correspondence on manuscript projects that Meyer had worked on. This includes "The Stonyhurst Medulla", the early Church such as St. Augustine, Philology, and different Celtic Notes.

13 1 The Stonyhurst Medulla Notes, 1967

13 2 The Stonyhurst Medulla Notes 2, 1967

13 3 Celtic Notes, n.d

13 4 The Stonyhurst Meyer Notes, 1967

13 5 The Stonyhurst Medulla Notes 3, 1967

13 6 Philology Notes, 1975-1976

13 7 St. Augustine Notes, 1938

13 8 Research Notes and Essays, 1938-1981

Essays are on Celtic words and translations

 14 1 Research Correspondence, 1982

14 2 Translation of St. John Chrysostom, 1979

14 3 Research Notes/Correspondence, 1963-1981

14 4 Research Notes/Correspondence, 1972

14 5 Research Correspondence, 1960-1980

14 6 St. Bernard of Clairvaux Translation, n.d

14 7 Reflections on Tolkien, 1978

14 8 Classics Thesis, 1933-1934

Essays written for BA and MA at John Carroll University

 14 9 Celtic Philology Correspondence, 1961-1963

15 1 Michigan Medieval Conference, 1985

15 2 Celtic Notes, 1971-1976

15 3 Merugud Uilix Maic Leirtis Research Notes, 1958-1974

15 4 Academic Essays, 1961-1963

Drafts for different articles for academic journals

 15 5 Middle Cornish Notes, 1961-1968

Includes essay on these notes

 15 6 Historical Reviews, 1970

Book reviews

 15 7 Aristotle Notes, 1905 and 1966

In addition to these notes there is a notebook that Meyer collected from 1905

 15 8 Class Exams and Lecture Notes, 1971-1981

15 9 Research Correspondence, 1971-1981

15 10 Early Irish Monasticism Essay, 1960

16 1 Book Reviews, 1981

16 2 Ireland Trip Research, n.d

16 3 Anglo-Saxon Language Research, 1961-1963

16 4 Irish Poetry Notes, 1967

16 5 Medieval Studies Notes, 1973-1978

16 6 Liturgical Research and Correspondence, 1966-1975

16 7 Latin Notes, 1967-1975

17 1 Celtic Syntax Notes, 1957

17 2 Celtic Vocabulary, 1946

17 3 Celtic Notes, n.d

17 4 Celtic Studies Notes and Essays, 1969

17 5 Latin Notes, 1967-1975

17 6 The New Catholic Encyclopedia Entry, 1966

17 7 Bibliography of Books on Greek, 1958

Compiled by Meyer, with notes

 Series 7: Manuscripts, n.d-1982 2 Boxes

Copies of manuscripts, many with written annotations, that Meyer wrote for publication as well as one unpublished manuscript. Also included is a bound reprint of his 1943 dissertation with two post cards from a former classmate from England.

18 1 "The Stonyhurst Medulla", n.d

Part 1

 18 2 "The Stonyhurst Medulla", n.d

Part 2

 18 3 "The Stonyhurst Medulla", n.d

Part 3

 18 4 "The Stonyhurst Medulla", n.d

Part 4

 18 5 "The Stonyhurst Medulla", n.d

Part 5

 18 6 "The Stonyhurst Medulla", n.d

Part 6

 18 7 Meyer's Dissertation, 1982

Reprint of 1943 original titled, "The Sources of the Stonyhurst Medulla: A Chapter in English Lexicography"

 19 1 "St. Bernard of Clairvaux" Translation, 1978

19 2 "St. Bernard of Clairvaux" Translation 2, 1978

19 3 "Stonyhurst Medulla" Manuscript, n.d

19 4 "Stonyhurst Medulla Manuscript", n.d

19 5 "Stonyhurst Medulla", n.d

Series 8: Financials, 1934-1985 1 Box

Personal finances such as banking receipts and old checks. There are also miscellaneous receipts and bills as well as some financial records related to his administrative work as chair of Celtic Studies.

 20 1 Travel Materials, 1971-1980

Includes tickets and receipts

 20 2 Miscellaneous Financials, 1972-1985

20 3 Citizens Savings and Loans Correspondence, 1976

20 4 Financial Correspondence, 1934-1941

20 5 Financials, 1982

Banking receipts

 20 6 Financial Correspondence, 1939-1966

Series 9: Publications, 1915-1985 3 Boxes

Publications that Meyer collected through the years, including clippings from newspapers concerning Celtic words and phrases. There are also articles about achievements of his academic friends, booklets from different organizations that Meyer belonged to, and a small collection of articles that Meyer had published.

 20 7 Booklets, 1947-1970

Includes four booklets; two are from the Modern Language Association of America. The last two are from the American Council of Learned Societies.

 20 8 Booklets and Newspapers, 1941-1980

The two booklets are from CUA and include an article written by Meyer and one by his friend Bernard Mann Peebles. There are also several clippings from England and Ireland concerning Celtic Studies.

 21 1 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1929-1980

21 2 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1954-1977

Includes a booklet from the Seventh annual conference of the Patristic Society

 21 3 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1915-1983

University of Chicago Graduate Studies Guide, included

 21 4 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1929-1980

21 5 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1958-1978

Includes newspaper clippings and newsletters on different Irish Studies programs

 21 6 Miscellaneous Clippings, 1976-1984

Mainly newspaper clippings from different universities Meyer was associated with

 22 1 University Clippings, 1948-1982

Mainly newspaper clippings from different universities Meyer was associated with, including Msgr. John K. Ryan obituary

 22 2 Newsletter Clippings, 1973-1979

From different universities and library associations

 22 3 Personal Publications (1), 1952-1970

Academic journals written by Meyer

 22 4 Personal Publications (2), 1963-1967

Academic journals written by Meyer

 22 5 Personal Publications (3), 1956-1966

Academic journals written by Meyer

 22 6 Personal Publications (4), 1956-1969

Academic journals written by Meyer

 22 7 Celtic Dictionary, n.d

excerpts from a unnamed dictionary