Frank R. Crumbie Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS Group 014

Scope and Content

The papers consist primarily of scrapbooks, photographs, bibliographical notes, and correspondence. Seven of 10 scrapbooks are sequentially arranged from approximately 1922 to 1946, including news clippings and other material relating to all aspects of Haiti. Other scrapbooks contain material pertaining to specific topics such as superstitions and Faustin E. Wirkus, a U.S. Marine who became known as the "White King of La Gonave" (a Haitian island). The photographs, including some picture postcards, depict numerous Haitian scenes as well as from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Many of the photographs were taken by Hiss on the 1936-37 trip. Four notebooks contain bibliographical notes relating to Haiti and the West Indies in general. The papers also include correspondence and some manuscript notes by Hiss. In addition to the correspondence in Box 1, letters are dispersed throughout the scrapbooks. There is no distinct listing of this correspondence.

Dates

Creation: 1922-1955
Creation: Majority of material found within 1922-1946

Creator

Crumbie, Frank R., -1960. (Person)

Language of Materials

Materials are written in English and French.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Frank R. Crumbie served in several government positions in Haiti during the period of United States occupation, 1915-1934. He was customs inspector at Port-au-Prince and Cape Haitian from 1926 to 1927. In 1929 he assumed the duties of Customs Revenue Collector for Jeremie and Cape Haitian. During his time in Haiti Crumbie traveled extensively around the country, taking an extended trip in 1936-37 with photographer-writer Philip Hanson Hiss. Faustin E. Wirkus, also represented in the collection, was a U.S. marine who became known as the "White King of La Gonave" (he authored a book of that name: Doubleday, 1932).

Extent

4 Linear feet (7 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Scrapbooks, photographs, bibliographical notes, news clippings and correspondence of Frank R. Crumbie, who served in several government positions in Haiti during the period of United States occupation, 1915-1934.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Acquisition Information

Crumbie's papers, along with some of his library of Haitiana, were acquired by purchase from his widow after his death in 1960.

Alternative Format Available

Digital reproductions of selected items in the Frank R. Crumbie are available online via the University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). Please read the Permissions for Use statement for information on copyright, fair use, and use of UFDC digital objects.