Robert M. Burgess Papers

Robert M. Burgess Papers, 1941-2001

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Burgess, Robert M. (Robert Miller) (1906-2000)
Title: Robert M. Burgess Papers
Dates: 1941-2001 (inclusive)
19412001
Quantity: 0.4 linear feet
Collection Number: Mss 901
Summary: The Robert M. Burgess collection contains personal writings, memoirs, military documents and certificates, and letters written to family during World War II. Burgess describes his life thoroughly in his memoirs; from growing up near the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, to his military service in counterintelligence, and his time as a professor of French at the University of Montana in Missoula.
Repository: University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Robert Miller Burgess was born September 4, 1906, in Mount Crawford, Virginia. He graduated from Bridgewater High School and then Bridgewater College in Virginia. Through some graduate work at the University of Virginia in romance languages, he grew to love the French language and found a career path in teaching the language at the Black Foxe Military Institute, and at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). During World War II, Burgess enlisted in the Army and was assigned to receive training in the Counter Intelligence Corps.

After the war, Burgess continued his teaching career at UCLA. In 1947, he began a twenty-five year career teaching French at the University of Montana (then called Montana State University), serving eleven years as the chairman of the department. During this time he was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Academique (Order of Academic Palms), the highest cultural accolade granted by France. Burgess spent his later years in Missoula going to prayer breakfasts with his friends from the Holy Spirit Church, hiking, skiing, playing tennis, singing with the Mendelson Club, and traveling the world. He passed away on December 2, 2000 at the age of ninety-four.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains Robert M. Burgess' personal writings and memoirs, military diaries and documentation, and letters to family during World War II. These materials document his life from growing up in Virginia, his college years, his military service, and his later years as a French professor at the University of Montana in Missoula. The collection is divided into two series: Personal and World War II.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to the University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

Robert M. Burgess Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Series I: Personal, 1946–2001, 0.2 linear feet

Series II: World War II, 1941–1953, 0.2 linear feet

Custodial History

After Burgess' death, this collection was held by Dianna Reber Riley, a friend.

Acquisition Information

This collection was given to Bonnie Bowler by Dianne Riley for placement at the University of Montana Archives.

Processing Note

This collection arrived at the Archives as loose materials in a valise. Materials were foldered, with folder titles assigned by the processor. A 1946 copy of Myths and Their Meaning by Max Herzberg, and the valise in which the collection arrived, were deaccessioned from the collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Personal, 1946–2001Return to Top

0.2 linear feet

This series contains writings by and about Burgess, and a piece of green camoflage silk thought to be from a parachute. Notes not by Burgess are probably by Dianna Riley, who, prior to her death, intended to write a story based on Burgess' life and documents she planned to call "Robert's Valice."

This series has been arranged chronologically

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/1	Newspaper clipping about Robert M. Burgess	circa 1943
1/2	Personal Memoirs	undated
1/3	Personal History, Life Itinerary, timeline on legal notepad	undated
1/4	Obituary from the Missoulian and copy with notes from Dianna Riley	2000
1/5	Dianna Riley's letter to friends of Robert Burgess, with response from friend in Belgium	2001
1/6	Green camouflage piece of silk	undated

Series II: World War II, 1941–1953Return to Top

0.2 linear feet

This series contains documents related to Burgess' military service during World War Two.

This series has been arranged chronologically

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1/7	German Passport issued to Franz Sekuterski	1941
1/8	Confidential reports, interrogations, and other war material	1941-1946
1/9	Military Applications, Certificates	1942-1945
1/10	Two Pocket Diaries and copies onto legal pad	1944, undated
1/11	Copies of U.S. Army Honorable Discharge and Certificate of Service	1944
1/12	Letters to family and friends during war (1 of 3)	1944
1/13	Letters to family and friends during war (2 of 3)	1944-1945
1/14	Letters to family and friends during war (3 of 3)	1945-1946
1/15	Correspondence with U.S. Senator Mike Mansfield	1953
1/16	Photographs	undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Education--Montana--Missoula
French language--Study and teaching--Montana--Missoula
Soldiers--United States--Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Montana

Corporate Names

Montana State University (Missoula, Mont.)--Faculty (creator)
United States. Army. Counter Intelligence Corps
University of California, Los Angeles--Students
University of Montana (Missoula, Mont. : 1965-1994)--Faculty (creator)

Occupations

College teachers--Montana--Missoula
Soldiers--United States

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