Leonarde Keeler papers, 1899-1972, bulk 1923-1949

Summary

Creators:

Keeler, Leonarde

Abstract:

Leonarde Keeler was a pioneer in the burgeoning field of criminology in the 1920s and 1930s. The Leonarde Keeler papers contain professional correspondence, research and publications, notes, and newsclippings that relate to the polygraph, personal research, and the academic field of crime science in general. As the son of a family of intellectuals and naturalists, the collection also has materials relating to his upbringing and adolescent interests.

Extent:

Number of containers: 3 cartons, 1 box, 10 volumes Linear feet: 5 3 digital objects (3 images)

Language:

Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

Leonarde Keeler was a pioneer in the burgeoning field of criminology in the 1920s and 1930s. The Leonarde Keeler papers contain professional correspondence, research and publications, notes, and newsclippings that relate to the polygraph, personal research, and the academic field of crime science in general. As the son of a family of intellectuals and naturalists, the collection also has materials relating to his upbringing and adolescent interests. Personalia including correspondence, school notes and memorabilia, newsclippings, photos, and materials relating to his interests in snakes and mountain climbing are present. Also contained is correspondence and health reports regarding his health issues and sickness later in life. An extensive collection of family correspondence between Leonarde and his father, stepmother, sisters, nieces, and wife is included, dealing with topics both professional and personal in Leonarde's life.

Biographical / historical:

Leonarde Keeler was born in 1903 in Berkeley, CA, the son of poet and naturalist Charles Keeler and artist Louise Bunnell. He attended UC Berkeley and UCLA before transferring to Stanford University to study psychology. His adolescent interest in police work and detection inspired him to develop, while in college, the "Keeler Polygraph"--an updated modification to previously existing lie-detection technology. He performed psychological research and experiments at various prisons and institutions, including the Institute for Juvenile Research in Chicago, before moving to Chicago permanently in 1930 to work at the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory headquartered at Northwestern University. He married Katherine Applegate, a fellow psychology student, in 1930. Frequently hired as a consultant in police investigations and court cases, he gave lectures and performed research relating to this work as well as criminology in general throughout his later life. He died of a stroke in 1949.

Acquisition information:

The Leonarde Keeler Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Eloise Keeler and Merodine Keeler McIntyre in 1975.

Physical location:

Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Rules or conventions:

Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Location of this collection:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library

Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US

Contact:

510-642-6481

bancref-library@berkeley.edu

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