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Guide to the Bernard Rosecrans Hubbard, S.J. Papers, 1888-1962
5600 HubB
5600 HubB
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Title: Bernard Rosecrans Hubbard, S.J. Papers, 1888-1962
Identifier/Call Number: 5600 HubB
Contributing Institution:
California Jesuit Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
10.9 Linear feet
25 boxes
Date (bulk): 1930-1950
Date (inclusive): 1890-2001
Abstract: Bernard R. Hubbard was a Jesuit priest, educator, explorer, and popular lecturer, known as “the Glacier Priest.” He taught
geology, 1926-1930, and spent three decades exploring and documenting the Territory of Alaska, its glaciers and volcanoes,
and its native peoples. These expeditions, 1927-1962, were financed by his lectures, films, and publications, undertaken from
his offices at Santa Clara University in California.
Hubbard, Bernard Rosecrans, 1888-1962
Santa Clara University (Calif.)
Glaciers – Alaska
Jesuits – California Province
Alaska – Description and travel
Lecturers
Bernard R. Hubbard (1888-1962) was born in San Francisco, California and attended Santa Clara College from 1906-1908, then
entered the Society of Jesus. As part of his Jesuit formation, he studied theology in Innsbruck, Austria and was ordained
a priest there in 1923. While teaching German, geology, and theology at Santa Clara College, he began his annual summer expeditions
to Alaska in 1927, continuing through 1955. During World War II he was an advisor on Alaska for the U.S. military and a lecturer
and chaplain to the troops. At Santa Clara University in the late 1940s, he established the Hubbard Educational Films (Hubbard
Laboratories), an educational film production and distribution service. Suffering a stroke in 1955 while on lecture tour in
Hartford, Connecticut, he curtailed his activities and dedicated time to writing his autobiography and cataloging his photographs,
neither of which he completed.
The collection contains correspondence, financial and legal reports, contracts, and agreements, and biographical material.
Also included is information on and documentation from Father Hubbard’s early Jesuit religious formation in California, Austria,
and one year near Cleveland, Ohio. His explorations and lecture tours are reflected in published and unpublished articles,
scripts, reports, photographs, maps, posters, and a taped interview of Hubbard in 1959. Articles and theses about Father Hubbard
and varied ephemera demonstrate his extensive travels and audiences. Numerous clippings, 1923-1964 are included. His photograph
collection is arranged by person, geographic location, landforms, and objects. There are three binder boxes of photographs
sorted by topic: Alaska; Tyrol and Oberammergau; and Early life and Religious life in Austria. A large collection of lantern
slides from the 1920s and 1930s reflects the geography and native peoples of Alaska and some American Indians of the Southwest.
California Jesuit Archives, Santa Clara, CA.