Harmful language link added to finding aid 08/16/2023.
Omer Call Stewart was born in 1908 in Provo, Utah. He grew up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and from 1928 to 1932 he served a French speaking mission. He later withdrew from membership in the LDS Church, but maintained a strong interest in the subject of religion. Stewart earned his B.A. from the University of Utah, completing work for the degree in 1933. He studied anthropology and spent two summers in the field under the direction of Dr. Julian H. Steward. While at the University of Utah, he was chosen to play the lead male role in the varsity play "Mis' Nelly of N'Orleans," directed by Maud May Babcock. The lead female role was played by Wanda Clayton, whom Stewart married a few months after the play was performed. In 1934, Clayton and Stewart were divorced. He later married Lenore Thurston, with whom he had four children. Stewart's graduate education took place at the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed his Ph.D. in anthropology in 1939.
During his time at Berkeley, Stewart had his first experience with the peyote ceremonies of the Native American Church. These ceremonies became a major focus of his work in later years. Stewart spent most of his professional career at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he was responsible for the formation of the University's Department of Anthropology. He invested much time and effort into protecting the rights of Native Americans. Such work included research and service as an expert witness in land claims cases and cases involving religious freedom and the use of peyote. Stewart earned Emeritus status at the University of Colorado. He was the author of a number of articles and other writings, most of which address Native American issues. He received many awards, fellowships and grants, and was a member of a number of professional societies. Stewart died in Boulder, Colorado, in 1991.
The Omer Call Stewart papers (1925-1989) consist mainly of personal items and published articles. The collection has been divided into four sections. The first section, which includes boxes 1 and 2, contains personal materials that provide an overview of the life and work of Stewart. Correspondence, news clippings, diaries, and other papers document some of his personal involvements, professional activities and achievements. Many of these materials regard his early years and experiences in Utah. Section two, comprised of boxes 3 through 6, contains professional papers, including articles and book reviews written by Stewart. Transcripts of court depositions given by him on behalf of American Indian tribes are included. Most of these papers deal with various Indian issues, including the use of peyote in the religious ceremonies of the Native American Church. Section three, boxes 7 and 8, is comprised of subject files. These files contain papers written by anthropology students on various cultural and religious topics. These folders are arranged alphabetically by subject. A one folder addendum to the collection contains religious correspondence. Section four, includes boxes 9 and 10 were donated in 2014 and contain personal correspondence (predominantly with his brother Omer and and his parents), news clippings, publications, and a post card album.
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Boxes 1-8 were donated in 1990 (4 linear feet) by Lenore T. Stewart, Carl Stewart, and Omer C. Stewart.
Box 8, folder 13 was donated in 1996.
Box 9-10 were donated in 2014 (1.25 linear feet) by Heather Stewart Dorrell.
Processed by Christie Pugh in 1992.
Addendum (Box 8 Fd 13) processed by Kirk Watson in 2003.
Addendum (Boxes 9-10) processed by Chelsea Olsen in 2014.
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0426). Most of Omer Stewart's papers were donated to the University of Colorado at Boulder.
See also the Kilton Riggs Stewart papers (ACCN 2824). Kilton Riggs Stewart was Omer Call Stewart's brother who worked as an psychotherapist in New York City who focused his research on the study of dream psychology. He received a Masters in Psychology from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the London School of Economics.
This series contains materials which provide information on Dr. Stewart's personal life and professional activities. Correspondence from Stewart's first wife, Wanda Clayton, and diaries he kept during his mission to Switzerland and France are included.
Box 9 and 10, an addendum in 2014, also contains personal correspondence, news, clippings, and publications that relate to Omer Stewart's personal and professional life.
Includes a copy of the script of the play, news clippings, a program, and a letter. It was during the production of this play, in 1931, that Omer Call Stewart and Wanda Clayton met. They were married a few months later.
Includes copies of certificates, Dr. Stewart's listing in
Materials concern consultation about archaeological ruins in Mesa Verde, Colorado.
These papers document some of Dr. Stewart's involvements with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Unitarian Church, and the American Atheists.
This series contains articles, book reviews, and manuscripts written by Omer Call Stewart. Most of the articles concern the Native American Church (Peyotism) and other Indian issues. Also included are transcripts of court depositions given by Dr. Stewart on behalf of American Indian tribes.
By Martha C. Knack and Omer C. Stewart.
The subject files, located in boxes 7 and 8, consist mainly of papers written by anthropology students. Journal articles and professional papers are also included.