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Papers of Donald J. Kidd, 1943-1966

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary
Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 18
Creator:
Title: Papers of Donald J. Kidd, 1943-1966
Quantity: 2.5 Linear Feet (5 document boxes)
Abstract:
Note: This document last updated 2006 January 3.

Administrative Information
Acquisition Information: Unknown
Processed by: Nora L. McCabe. 1994 October 20.
Processing Note:
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives:

  • Photographs
    • Donald J. Kidd [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits
  • Vertical Files
    • Donald James Kidd. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch
Dr. Donald James Kidd was born on June 9, 1922 in Nordegg, Alberta, Canada and grew up in McKenzie Island, Ontario. He was the elder of two sons born to George H. Kidd and the former Ruth Stewart.

Deaf since 9 months of age, probably from double pneumonia, Dr. Kidd was a product of the oral method. He did not learn sign language until 1943-1944. He was educated at both Canadian and New York oral schools, graduating from Kenora High School, Kenora, Ontario, Canada in 1941. Dr. Kidd did all of his postsecondary work at the University of Toronto – B.A. (1945) and M.A. (1946) in chemical engineering, and Ph.D. (1951) in geochemistry.

He is believed to be the first deaf Canadian to receive a doctorate.

Following graduation, Dr. Kidd had a distinguished career as a geologist and geochemist. He served as a research geologist with the Geophysical Engineering & Surveys Co. of Ontario, and later as a consulting geologist for the Arctic Institute of North America, among other companies.

In 1956, he became a geochemist for the Research Council of Alberta at the University of Toronto. Dr. Kidd joined the Gallaudet faculty in 1961 as an instructor of mathematics in the preparatory department. Three years later, in 1964, he was promoted to assistant professor of physics.

Dr. Kidd was married to the former Mary Jessie Campbell, a hearing woman, and adopted two children – Ronald Allan, who was deaf, and Julia Margaret. Dr. Kidd passed away on September 10, 1966 from a heart attack at the age of 44.

Scope and Content
The papers of Dr. Donald J. Kidd are composed primarily of his correspondence, which date from 1943 to 1966:

  • Correspondence notes from 1943 to 1951 are related to Dr. Kidd’s student days at the University of Toronto.
  • Correspondence from 1951 to 1961 deal with his field work in geology and geochemistry.
  • Correspondence from 1961 to 1966 covers his tenure on the faculty of Gallaudet University as an instructor in mathematics and physics.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists
No. Series

Box Folder Title of Folder Date
1 1 Articles – Published [not written by DJK] 1937-1948
1 2 Articles – Published [not written by DJK] 1949-1953
1 3 Articles – Published [not written by DJK] 1954-1957
1 4 Articles – Published [not written by DJK] 1958-1960
1 5 Articles – Published [not written by DJK] 1961-1964
1 6 Bibliographies 1890-1951
1 7 Class Notes 1951-1964
2 1 Correspondence to DJK – “A” 1948-1955
2 2 Correspondence to DJK – “A” 1953-1962
2 3 Correspondence to DJK – “B” 1948-1951
2 4 Correspondence to DJK – “B” 1945-1956
2 5 Correspondence to DJK – “C” 1949-1961
2 6 Correspondence to DJK – “C” 1953-1956
2 7 Correspondence to DJK – “D” 1948-1952
2 8 Correspondence to DJK – “D” 1953-1955
2 9 Correspondence to DJK – “F” 1954-1959
2 10 Correspondence to DJK – “F” 1954-1955
2 11 Correspondence to DJK – “G” 1956-1961
2 12 Correspondence to DJK – “G” 1956-1960
2 13 Correspondence to DJK – “H” 1945-1964
2 14 Correspondence to DJK – “H” 1955-1964
2 15 Correspondence to DJK – “I” 1956
2 16 Correspondence from DJK – “I” 1953-1956
2 17 Correspondence to DJK – “J” 1949-1959
2 18 Correspondence to DJK – “J” 1949-1956
2 19 Correspondence to DJK – “K” 1946-1956
2 20 Correspondence to DJK – “L” 1952-1962
2 21 Correspondence to DJK – “L” 1954-1960
2 22 Correspondence to DJK – “M” 1949-1960
2 23 Correspondence to DJK – “M” 1953-1956
2 24 Correspondence to DJK – “N” n.d.
2 25 Correspondence to DJK – “N” 1955-1959
2 26 Correspondence to DJK – “P” 1956-1960
2 27 Correspondence to DJK – “P” 1951-1953
2 28 Correspondence to DJK – “R” 1948-1953
2 29 Correspondence from DJK – “R” 1950-1960
2 30 Correspondence to DJK – “S” 1944-1956
2 31 Correspondence from DJK – “S” 1952-1960
2 32 Correspondence to DJK – “T” 1963
2 33 Correspondence to DJK – “T” 1955-1956
2 34 Correspondence to DJK – “W” 1954-1962
2 35 Correspondence to DJK – “W” 1954-1959
2 36 Correspondence to DJK – “Y” 1953
2 37 Correspondence to DJK – “Z” 1954-1955
3 1 Correspondence to Bristow, J. 1955
3 2 Correspondence from Bristow, J. 1954-1955
3 3 Correspondence to Coons, H.L. 1954-1957
3 4 Correspondence from Coons, H. L. 1954-1957
3 5 Correspondence to Kennedy, W.S. 1952-1953
3 6 Correspondence from Kennedy, W.S. 1952
3 7 Correspondence from Kidd, G.H. Kidd. R.S 1953-1956
3 8 Correspondence to Kidd, R. 1954-1955
3 9 Correspondence from Kidd, R. 1945-1959
3 10 Correspondence to Kunze, B. 1955-1958
3 11 Correspondence from Kunze, B. 1955-1958
4 1 Correspondence – Deafness 1947-1965
4 2 Correspondence – Deafness n.d.
4 3 Correspondence – Deafness (Personal) 1947-1949
4 4 Correspondence – Gallaudet University 1957-1966
4 5 Correspondence – Gallaudet University n.d.
4 6 Correspondence – Miscellaneous (Personal) 1943-1963
4 7 Correspondence – Miscellaneous (Personal) n.d.
4 8 Correspondence – Miscellaneous (Unidentifiable) n.d.
4 9 Correspondence – Nordegg (birthplace) 1962-1964
5 1 Field Tests Maps n.d. ca. 1950s
5 2 Notes – Journal Articles n.d.
5 3 Notes – Journal Articles 1800s
5 4 Notes – Journal Articles 1909-1910
5 5 Notes – Journal Articles 1921-1927
5 6 Notes – Journal Articles 1934-1938
5 7 Notes – Journal Articles 1941-1949
5 8 Notes – Journal Articles 1950-1958
5 9 Notes – Journal Articles 1961
5 10 Papers – Gallaudet University (Miscellaneous) 1962-1966
5 11 Papers – Gallaudet University 1960s
5 12 Papers – Kidd Family History n.d.
5 13 Papers – Miscellaneous n.d.
5 14 Papers – Miscellaneous n.d.
5 15 Papers – Miscellaneous 1943-1945
5 16 Papers – Miscellaneous 1954-1961

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