Finding Aid for A. R. Kelly Papers, 1929-33 | University of Illinois Archives

Title: A. R. Kelly Papers, 1929-33

ID: 15/2/24

Primary Creator: Kelly, A. R. (Arthur Randolph) (1900-1979)

Extent: 0.6 cubic feet

Arrangement: Alphabetical.

Subjects: Archeology, Faculty Papers, Illinois Archaeological Survey, Indians of North America -- Music, Southern Illinois

Formats/Genres: Papers

Languages: English

Papers of Arthur Randolph Kelly, Assistant Professor of Anthropology (1929-33), including correspondence, questionnaires, newspaper clippings, and reports concerning the advancement of the Illinois Archaeological Survey of Southern Counties, and excavation of Indian sites in southeastern Illinois. Includes survey sheets sent to persons in 72 counties requesting information on Indian remains.

Arthur Randolph Kelly (1900-1979) was assistant professor of anthropology (1929-33) at the University of Illinois (UI). He specialized in physical anthropology and was an influential practicing archaeologist notable for his extensive fieldwork in the United States.

Kelly was born in Hubbard, Texas, on October 27, 1900. He studied anthropology as an undergraduate at the University of Texas, completing his bachelor's degree in 1921. He went on to earn a master's in 1925, followed by a doctorate from Harvard University in 1929. That same year (1929), Kelly became assistant professor of anthropology at UI. In addition to teaching classes, he led archaeological fieldwork at Starved Rock State Park and Powell Mound at the Cahokia Mounds. In 1933, Kelly was appointed by the Smithsonian Institution as director of the Ocmulgee Creek excavations near Macon, Georgia. A Great Depressionâ??era work relief archaeology program, it was the "largest â?¦ dig ever conducted within the United Statesâ?¦. By the time the excavations were finished [in 1937], over 2.5 million artifacts were recovered" (National Park Service). Kelly held additional positions within the National Park Service, including chief archeologist (1937-41) and superintendent (1941-46). In 1946, Kelly accepted a professorship at the University of Georgia and continued to conduct fieldwork throughout the state. He served as archeological consultant to the state of Georgia and was a founding member of the Georgia Historical Commission and the Society for Preservation of Early Georgia History.

Kelly died on November 4, 1979.

Sources:

"Arthur Kelly," National Park Service, accessed April 20, 2020, https://www.nps.gov/people/Arthur-kelly.htm;%20https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Randolph_Kelly.

Wikipedia, s.v. "Arthur Randolph Kelly," accessed April 20, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Randolph_Kelly.

Archeology
Faculty Papers
Illinois Archaeological Survey
Indians of North America -- Music
Southern Illinois

Repository: University of Illinois Archives

Accruals: 5/27/1996

Other Note: 1 Pages

URL: https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/uasfa/1502024.pdf

PDF finding aid for A. R. Kelly Papers (15/2/24)