Richard E. Fuller papers, 1927-1962

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Fuller, Richard E. (Richard Eugene), 1897-1976
Title
Richard E. Fuller papers
Dates
1927-1962 (inclusive)
Quantity
2.22 cubic feet
Collection Number
2039
Summary
Papers of founder and director, Seattle Art Museum; Director, National Bank of Commerce of Seattle, Washington; geologist and civic leader.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Consult the access restrictions information for each of the accessions listed below.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Richard E. Fuller was born in New York City in 1897. The Fuller family traveled extensively, visiting South America, Spain, Portugal, France, Egypt, and Palestine. It was the family’s trips to China and Japan that began both Fuller and his mother’s passion for Asian antiquities. Richard Fuller graduated from the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in 1915 and attended Yale before dropping out in 1917 to volunteer as an ambulance driver in France during World War I.

In 1919, the Fuller family traveled to Yokohama where Fuller and his mother purchased a number of jades and other Asian antiquities, which would later be included in the Seattle Art Museum’s collection. After returning to the United States, Fuller completed his bachelor’s degree at Yale in 1921 and moved to Seattle in 1923. Fuller earned his second bachelor’s degree in geology in 1924 and his master’s degree in 1926 at the University of Washington where he later taught as a part time geology professor.

In 1928, Fuller joined the board of directors of the Seattle Fine Arts Society, where he, Horace C. Henry, and others amassed a small collection. The Seattle Fine Arts Society held exhibitions and lectures, while supporting local artists. Richard Fuller was elected president of the Seattle Fine Arts Society board in 1930. He submitted a proposal for the city of Seattle to construct a museum to house the Seattle Fine Arts Society’s collection. The city accepted and Carl Gould, founder of the University of Washington School of Architecture, was hired to design the building. An architectural model of the museum was presented at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, and Richard Fuller and his mother Margaret Fuller presented the completed building to the city on June 29, 1933.

Richard Fuller was the Seattle Art Museum’s founding director and served as director for the next 40 years, though never drew a salary for the position. In addition to establishing the Seattle Art Museum as recognizing the value of Asian art early on, Richard also was a generous supporter of local artists. Richard’s patronage included works by Morris Graves, Mark Tobey, Kenneth Callahan, and William Cumming.

Richard Fuller took on leadership roles nationwide, including being president of the Western Association of Art Museum Directors, president of the National Association of Art Directors, and was a member of the International Council of Museums. He was also a generous supporter of local institutions, donating to the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Opera, the Seattle Symphony, and provided much of the Seattle Art Museum’s funds at his own expense. Richard Fuller died December 10th, 1976.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Consult the scope and content information for each of the accessions listed below.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Consult the restrictions governing reproduction and use for each of the accessions listed below.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 2039-001: Richard E. Fuller papers, 1927-1951Return to Top

.44 cubic feet

Scope and Content: Letters about Fuller 1971-72 (most facsimile copies) commendatory, 75th birthday, memorabilia, photos, clippins, historical sketch, Seattle Art Museum.

Additions include correspondence, press releases, clippings, notes related to his geology career, and to his 75th anniversary celebration, 1927-1951, 1971. Also includes lecture notes, articles, photographs related to Geology, civic activities, and philanthropy, 1930-1940, 1955-1972.

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 11/16/1972.

Description
Richard E. Fuller papers

Accession No. 2039-003: Richard E Fuller papers, 1937-1947Return to Top

.28 cubic feet

Scope and Content: Correspondence, minutes, 1937-47.

Mainly personal correspondence and papers documenting Fuller's chairmanship of the Seattle Committee of Russian War Relief, Inc.

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Russian War Relief, Inc.

Processing Info: The bulk of the material in the accession, as received, was the correspondence files of Charles Rockwood, Chairman of the Institute of Pacific Relation, Pacific Northwest Division. This was separated and accessioned as the Rockwood Institute of Pacific Relation papers. The remainder of the accession was the personal correspondence and papers documenting Fuller's chairmanship of the seattle Committee of Russian War Relief, Inc.

Description
Richard E Fuller papers

Accession No. 2039-004: Richard E. Fuller papers, 1934-1971Return to Top

.39 cubic feet

Scope and Content: Correspondence, writings, photographs.

Photographs and writings concern geological research and second Byrd Antarctic expedition.

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Eugenie Atwood, 12/21/1976.

Description
Richard E. Fuller papers

Accession No. 2039-005: Richard E. Fuller papers, 1927-1962 (bulk 1945-1950)Return to Top

1.11 cubic feet

Scope and Content: Correspondence, photographs.

Concerning the study of Paricutin Volcano (Mexico).

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by UW Geological Sciences Dept., 7/3/1991

Description
Richard E. Fuller papers

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Art museums--Washington (State)
  • Banks and banking--Washington (State)
  • Boards of trade--Washington (State)
  • Geology--Washington (State)
  • International relief--Soviet Union
  • Opera--New York (State)--New York
  • Pan-Pacific relations
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Science--Pacific States
  • Theaters--New York (State)--New York
  • Volcanologist--United States
  • War relief
  • World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief--Soviet Union

Personal Names

  • Bowen, Betty, 1919-1977
  • Fuller, Richard E. (Richard Eugene), 1897-1976--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Seattle Art Museum

Geographical Names

  • Parícutin (Mexico)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Bailey, Reed W. (Reed Warner), 1896- (creator)
    • Barnes, Virgil E. (Virgil Everett), 1903- (creator)
    • Bullard, Fred M. (Fred Mason), 1901- (creator)
    • Callahan, Kenneth, 1905-1986 (creator)
    • Dorr, John Van N. (John Van Nostrand), 1910- (creator)
    • Fisher, Otto (creator)
    • Fries, Carl, Jr (creator)
    • Graton, L. C. (Louis Caryl), 1880- (creator)
    • Hatt, Robert T. (Robert Torrens), 1902- (creator)
    • Ingerson, Earl, 1906- (creator)
    • Johnston, W. D. (William Drumm), 1899- (creator)
    • Krauskopf, Konrad Bates, 1910- (creator)
    • Lowdermilk, W. C. (Walter Clay), 1888-1974 (creator)
    • McNish, A. G (creator)
    • Ordóñez, Ezequiel, 1867- (creator)
    • Putnam, William Clement, 1908-1963 (creator)
    • Roberts, Elliott B (creator)
    • Rubey, William Walden, 1898-1974 (creator)
    • Segerstrom, Kenneth, 1909- (creator)
    • Swainson, O. W (creator)
    • Verhoogen, John, 1912- (creator)
    • Waters, Aaron Clement, 1905-
    • Wells, Francis G. (Francis Gerritt), 1898- (creator)
    • Wilcox, Ray E. (Ray Everett), 1912- (creator)
    • Williams, Howel, 1898-1980 (creator)
    • Zies, E. G. (Emanuel George), 1883-1981 (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Byrd Antarctic Expedition
    • Compania Mexicana Aerofoto (creator)
    • Cornucopia Gold Mines (Spokane, Wash.) (creator)
    • Geological Society of America (creator)
    • National Research Council (U.S.). American Geophysical Union. Executive Committee (creator)
    • National Research Council (U.S.). Committee for the Study of Paricutin Volcano (creator)
    • National Research Council. Division of Geology and Geography (creator)
    • Russian War Relief, Inc. Seattle Committee (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • United States. Department of State (creator)