Description
William Everett Welmers (1916-1988) was
a professor of linguistics and African languages at UCLA, becoming emeritus professor in
1982. His publications include
Igbo: a learner's
dictionary
(1968),
African language
structures
(1973), and
A grammar of Vai
(1976). The collection consists of Welmers' professional papers, including tape recordings,
research materials and notes, printed and manuscript writings, data, word lists, manuals,
vocabulary notes, and papers by students and colleagues. The material reflects the
relationship between his linguistic research and missionary activities, including
information on aspects of linguistics, Central and Southern African history, classification
of African languages, and specific African languages such as Igbo, Kpelle, Lugbara, and
Yoruba.
Background
Welmers was born on April 4, 1916 in Orange City, Iowa; AB, Hope College, 1936; ThB and Th,
Westminster Theological Seminary, 1939; Ph.D, University of Pennsylvania, 1943; member,
Lutheran Mission, Liberia, 1946-48 and 1954-55; linguistic research in Africa as fellow in
the American Council of Learned Societies, 1948-50; visiting assistant professor of
linguistics (1950-51) and acting associate professor (1951-54), Cornell University;
associate professor, Kennedy School Missions, Hartford Seminary Foundation, 1955-60; in 1960
became professor of linguistics and African languages at UCLA, becoming emeritus professor
in 1982; publications include Igbo: a learner's
dictionary (1968), African language
structures (1973), and A grammar of Vai
(1976); he died in 1988.The previous history was compiled from:
Extent
8.4 Linear Feet
(16 boxes, 1 oversize box)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All
other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not
hold the copyright.
Availability
Portions of collection unprocessed. Audiovisual materials are unavailable for access.
Please contact Special Collections reference (spec-coll@library.ucla.edu) for more
information.