University of Wyoming
William “Bill” E. Koch (1910–1991) was an emeritus professor of English and folklorist at Kansas State University. Born on October 11, 1910, Koch became widely recognized for his work in preserving and studying the folklore of the Central Plains in the United States. Among his significant contributions was coauthoring Kansas Folklore, a comprehensive collection of songs, proverbs, legends, and tales, created for the Kansas centennial in 1961. In addition to his academic work, Koch hosted the radio show “Legends and Lore of the Great Plains” on Kansas State’s station (KSAC) for four years. He also held leadership positions, including serving as president of the Kansas Folklore Society and was actively involved with the Kansas Authors Club and the Kansas Historical Society. Over his career, Koch contributed his expertise as a consultant for various historical and educational film productions. William Koch passed away in May 1991 in Manhattan, Kansas, at the age of eighty.
This collection contains the research papers of Professor William E. Koch. Included are various diaries of settlers of Kansas and the West, including those of George Washington Franklin, who established a farm in Kansas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Also included are copies of some of the articles Koch wrote in his career, some correspondence, and information about some of his professional pursuits.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
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There are no known other archival collections created by William E. Koch at the date of processing.
The material was recieived from William E. Koch between 1984 and 1989.
The collection was processed by Brittany Heye in August of 2024.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, William E. Koch Papers, Collection Number 02711, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.