Miriam+Chrisman+biographical+and+archive+info

[|Chrisman, Miriam Usher] Miriam Chrisman Papers, 1937-2007. 13 boxes. (9 linear feet). Passport photo of Miriam Chrisman, 1964 Graduating from Smith College in 1941, Miriam Usher Chrisman spent the war years in Washington D.C. as an intern and research assistant in various agencies, including the National Resources Planning Board. Between 1948 and 1959, she earned three Master’s degrees in economics from American University, education from Smith College, and history from Yale University, where she was awarded a Ph.D. in 1962. That same year, Chrisman joined the faculty at UMass in the history department; she was subsequently promoted to full professor in 1972. As a historian of the 16th century, much of Chrisman’s work focused on Strasbourg in the Reformation, the topic of her doctoral dissertation. She was awarded a Prix d’honneur by the Societe des Amis de Vieux Strasbourg, an honorary doctor of humane letters by Valparaiso University, and the Wilbur Cross Medal from Yale University. Retiring from her faculty position in 1985, she continued teaching for nearly another decade. Chrisman died in 2008. A faithful and colorful correspondent, the bulk of Miriam Chrisman’s papers consist of letters written to family and friends stretching from her college days at Smith through the year before her death. The bulk of the correspondence is with her husband, Donald Chrisman, an orthopedic surgeon who was enrolled at Harvard Medical School during their courtship. Soon after the Chrismans married in November 1943, Donald left for active duty in the Navy on the U.S.S. Baldwin. The couple’s war correspondence is unusually rich, offering insight on everything from the social responsibilities of married couples to their opinions on the progression of the war. Of particular note is a lengthy letter written by Donald during and immediately after D-Day in which he provides Miriam a real-time description of the events and his reactions as they unfold. Later letters document Miriam’s extensive travels including a trip around the world. Call no. : FS 128 View related collections: [|Travel], [|UMass faculty], [|World War II] :: :: [|No Comments]
 * Subjects**
 * Smith College–Students.
 * Travel.
 * University of Massachusetts Amherst–Department of History.
 * University of Massachusetts Amherst–Faculty.
 * World War, 1939-1945.
 * Types of material**
 * Letters (Correspondence)