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Longyear Spitsbergen Collection

 Collection — Box: 1-6
Identifier: MS-031

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Collection, 1819-1978, of John Munro Longyear relating to the coal operations of the Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of Norway, especially on Spitsbergen, the largest island. Includes photographs, publications, newspaper clippings, maps, and correspondence. Some published items are in various non-English languages; English translations are available for a portion of the publications.

Dates

  • 1819-1978

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

John Munro Longyear was twenty-three years old when he came to Marquette, Michigan from Lansing in 1873. He was a tall, rangy fellow who stood six foot two in his stocking feet. Influential friends secured a job for him surveying state mineral lands in the Upper Peninsula enabling him to gain valuable knowledge of the timber and mineral possibilities in the area. During the panic of 1873, he did not have enough money to buy himself a pair of boots. After the panic, he invested all his earnings in lands for development which turned out to be rich in minerals. He gave unstintingly of his time and money to further any worthy civic project. Many of the advantages the people of Marquette enjoy today are due to his interest and foresight. Mr. Longyear donated the site on which the Peter White Public Library was built and contributed money for its establishment. Mr. Longyear was a prominent figure in the development of the Upper Peninsula and one of the wealthiest men in Michigan. He was the founder and president of the Huron Mountain Club, President of the Marquette County Historical Society and was appointed a member of the Board of Control of the Michigan College of Mines (now Michigan Technological University) in 1893. He served as the mayor of Marquette in 1890-1891. Mr. Longyear was born in 1850 and passed away in 1922 at the age of 72.

Extent

3.04 Cubic Feet (7 manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection, 1819-1978, of John Munro Longyear relating to the coal operations of the Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of Norway, especially on Spitsbergen, the largest island. Includes photographs, publications, newspaper clippings, maps, and correspondence. Some published items are in various non-English languages; English translations are available for a portion of the publications.

Processing History

Elizabeth Russell,8/23/2011

Title
Longyear Spitsbergen Collection
Author
Elizabeth Russell
Date
8/23/2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US