Scope and Contents
The William Sully Beebe Papers consist largely of undated writings by Beebe on Biblical exegesis and philology, South and Central American Indian mythology and languages, and related topics. There are, in addition, four letters written by Beebe, one of which encloses a manuscript; a selection of newspaper clippings about ancient history, anthropology, and American Indians completes the collection.
The manuscripts "Biblical and Hebrew Roots" and "General Vocabulary, Maya and English" were given to Yale University in 1915 by Frances Dorothy Beebe. The remaining papers appear to have been the gift of William Sully Beebe in 1895.
Dates
- 1844-1898
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of William Sully Beebe in 1895 and Frances Dorothy Beebe in 1915.
Extent
0.75 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
Largely writings on Biblical subjects and on the Indians of South and Central America to support William Sully Beebe's theory that "a great philosophical cult once occupied all the Americas, originating in Peru" and that there is a relationship between the phonetic values of their pictographs and those of the semitic languages. He also held that their legends resemble those of the Genesis cycle, which, Beebe believed, had their origin in America. Included in the papers are several letters on these subjects by Beebe to Josiah Willard Gibbs, William Dwight Whitney and Henry Clark Corgin. Also miscellaneous newspaper clippings, 1893-1894, on archaeology and biblical research.
Biographical / Historical
William Sully Beebe was born on February 14, 1841, in Ithica, N. Y. He attended West Point Academy, graduating in 1863. He immediately entered the army, with an appointment of Second Lieutenant of Ordnance. During the Civil War, he received honors on multiple occasions. He remained in the army until 1874, when he resigned his commission. After his resignation, he spent his time creating a theory that argued, in part, for a connection between the Biblical book of Genesis and the ancient peoples of the Americas. With the start of the Spanish-American War, Beebe reentered the army and died of yellow fever in Havana, Cuba, on October 12, 1898.
- Title
- Guide to the William Sully Beebe Papers
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- compiled by Janet Elaine Gertz
- Date
- November 1982
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)
beinecke.library@yale.edu
Location
Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511