Manuscripts

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 7
Creator:
Title: Papers of Walter Goreth Durian, 1885-1954
Quantity: 0.5 Linear Feet (1 document box)
Abstract:
Note: This document last updated 2005 December 2.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: The Walter Goreth Durian collection was given to the Gallaudet Archives on October 12, 1978. The gift was made by Gil Eastman.
Processed by: Ulf Hedberg. 1989 February 8.
Processing Note:
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:

Manuscripts

• Papers of Gilbert C. Eastman, 1974-1994. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: MSS 68

Photographs

• Photograph album owner unknown [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Photograph Album AL 14

Scrapbooks

• Scrapbook of clippings. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Scrapbook 2

SMSS

• Ann Tennis, 1967. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS

Vertical Files

• Walter G. Durian. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch

Walter Goreth Durian was born on May 23, 1889 in New Market, New Jersey. He attended the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in 1895 but he left the school in 1907, when he was a junior, to accept a printing job in Erie, and later in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was dissatisfied with his lack of education; he entered the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf two years later to prepare for Gallaudet College.

Durian was admitted to Gallaudet College in 1909 and received a B.A. Degree in 1914. After his graduation, he went to the American School for the Deaf and worked as a printing instructor. Under his direction, a small print shop was equipped in 1914. The school newspaper, "American Era" was established by Walter Durian in 1914.

In 1955, Durian retired after 41 years of service to the American School for the Deaf. In 1957, the school named a new vocational building after him in recognition of his services as teacher, editor, and unofficial archivist. He died on February 13, 1959 in West Hartford, Connecticut at the age of 68.

Scope and Content 

The Walter Goreth Durian Collection consists of partly personal mementos dating from 1885-1954. The majority of the papers date from the 1930s to the 1950s. The bulk of the collection consists of clippings, correspondence, diaries, and rough drafts.

In the folder of newspaper clippings, one can find some articles dating from the late 1880s and there is one page from Silent World, issued on June 23, 1892. Durian's diaries contain notes from Baseball scores and some notes about his retirement from the American School for the Deaf.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists
No Series