Elizabeth Hamer Kegan

Elizabeth Hamer Kegan
Born May Elizabeth Edwards
Copperhill, Tennessee
Died Alexandria, Virginia
Other names Elizabeth Hamer
Occupation Assistant Librarian of Congress


Elizabeth Edwards Hamer Kegan (January 4, 1912 – March 9, 1979) was an American archivist and librarian, and served as the Assistant Librarian of Congress from 1963 to 1978. She was a founding member of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) in 1936 and was President of SAA from 1975-1976.[1]

Career

May Elizabeth Edwards was born in Copperhill, Tennessee, and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee in 1933.[2] After graduation she did graduate work in history before joining the staff of the National Archives in 1936.[3] At the archives she worked as an editor for the Survey of Federal Records, and later as chief of exhibits and publications. During this time, she also married fellow archivist Philip M. Hamer in 1940.[4]

Left to Right: Elizabeth Hamer, Margaret (Peggy) Mangum, and Elizabeth Bukowsky put volumes in Lucite containers aboard the Freedom Train.

In 1951 she became the publications and information officer at the Library of Congress, rising to the positions of Assistant Librarian for Public Affairs in 1960 and Assistant Librarian of Congress in 1963.[3] After Philip Hamer's death in 1971, she married Lawrence Robert Kegan. She retired from the library in 1978.

Throughout her career, Hamer Kegan remained involved in professional organizations in the history, archives, and library communities. She was a founding member of the Society of American Archivists in 1936, and later served on Council from 1969 to 1973, and as president from 1975 to 1976.[5]

Hamer Kegan died in Bethesda, Maryland on March 9, 1979, and was buried with her first husband in Marion, South Carolina.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Lethbridge, Mary C. (July 1979). "Recent Death". The American Archivist. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  2. ↑ Errickson, Kaitlin. "Elizabeth Hamer Kegan: Educator and Innovator". The National Archives: Pieces of History. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 Lethbridge, Mary C. (July 1979). "Recent Deaths". American Archivist. 42 (3): 402. doi:10.17723/aarc.42.3.x540g7827p80382t.
  4. ↑ "Elizabeth Kegan, Hill Librarian, Dies". Washington Post. March 11, 1979. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  5. ↑ "Presidents". Society of American Archivists. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "Elizabeth Edwards Kegan". Find-A-Grave. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
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