Matilda Jane Campbell Wilkin papers

Collection

Identifier: ua00804

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection contains personal and professional papers of Matilda Jane Campbell Wilkin. Personal papers consist of correspondence, poems, hymns, clippings, memoirs, diaries and various materials relating to religion, including bible lessons. Class outlines for her German courses compromise her professional papers in the collection. Also contained in the collection are the diary and sermons of her husband, George F. Wilkin. Diplomas for both Matilda and George Wilkin are also a part of the collection.

Dates

Creation: 1861-1943

Creator

Wilkin, Matilda Campbell, 1846-1943 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Use of Materials

Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright

Requests for permission to quote from the Matilda Jane Campbell Wilkin papers should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives head.

Biographical Sketch of Matilda Jane Campbell Wilkin (1846-1943)

Matilda Jane Campbell Wilkin was born on January 27, 1846 in Harrington, Maine. She taught on the East Coast before coming to Minnesota in 1870. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1877 from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, she was hired as an instructor of German and English (1877-1892), making her the first women instructor at the University of Minnesota. She became an assistant professor of German in 1892, and held this position until her retirement from the University in 1911. She was very involved in campus activities, including being one of the founding members of the campus YWCA, the honorary president of the Women's Cooperative Alliance and Minnesota Alumnae Club, member of Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Gamma and the Faculty Women's Club. Matilda Wilkin died on June 27, 1943, at the age of 97.