Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert Beck WWI diary

Abstract

The Robert Beck World War I diary (dated 1918-1919; 0.05 cubic feet; 1 folder) consists of one diary that documents Robert Beck's experiences serving in the US Army stateside and overseas during World War I.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert Beck WWI diary
Date
1918-1919 (inclusive)
Creator
Beck, Robert, 1895-1974
Extent
0.05 Cubic Feet
Subjects
World War, 1914-1918.
World War, 1914-1918 -- France.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Medical and sanitary affairs.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, American.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0200: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Robert Beck WWI diary, 1918-1919, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Robert Beck (1895-1974) was born in Illinois to Milton I. Beck (1853-1911) and Mary L. Billings (b. 1857). In May 1918, Beck enlisted in the US Army and within two months, he was deployed overseas to France. He remained in Europe for nearly a full year, never saw combat, returning stateside in June 1919. He was discharged from service June 28, 1919 and returned home to Chicago. Beck never married.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Robert Beck World War I diary (dated 1918-1919; 0.05 cubic feet; 1 folder) consists of one diary that documents Robert Beck's experiences serving in the US Army stateside and overseas during World War I. The diary begins on the day of his enlistment and details his training at Camp Grant in Illinois and Camp Mills in New Jersey, his unit's deployment to France, camp life while in France, drills conducted, being placed on kitchen detail, and his movement between camps prior to the armistice. After the signing, Beck describes how he spent his time touring Paris and going out with fellow soldiers until his unit returned to the United States.
The Robert Beck WWI diary is part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Robert Beck WWI diary, 1918-1919

  • Box 259, folder 2
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.