Manuscripts Collection
Gisle Christian Johnson Bothne was born on September 7, 1860 in Frederickshald, Norway, the son of Thrond Johnson and Johanne Okland Bothne. He received his early education in Norway. The family emigrated to the United States in 1876 when Bothne's father accepted a professorial position at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Bothne enrolled in Luther College and received his bachelor of arts degree in 1878. He then pursued graduate work at Northwestern University in Watertown, Wisconsin (1878-1879) and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland (1880). He received his master of arts degree from Luther College in 1881 and immediately became an instructor at that school, eventually becoming head of both the Scandinavian language and literature and the Greek departments. He also taught mathematics. He continued his graduate work at John Hopkins University in 1883-1884 and in the latter year was made a full professor at Luther College. In 1904 and 1905 he also spent a year studying at the universities of Oslo and Berlin and in Athens.
In 1907 he accepted the position of associate professor of Scandinavian languages and literature at the University of Minnesota. He was appointed head of that department in 1919, a position he held until his 1929 retirement.
He was the author of the
Bothne married Katherine Elise Brandt on June 27, 1895. The couple had two daughters, Dikka J. and Agnes M.
He died in Minneapolis on December 8, 1934.
Biographical data was taken from the collection; from
Written in both English and Norwegian, the papers detail Bothne's years as a professor at both Luther College and the University of Minnesota (U. of M.), including his service as U. of M. delegate to the two Norwegian centennial celebrations mentioned above, as well as his continuing efforts to promote Norwegian-American culture. The latter are reflected particularly through his actions to form a Norwegian-American Historical Association and establish a Scandinavian museum at the U. of M., his participation in the 1928 Henrik Ibsen and 1932 Bj�rnstjerne Bj�rnson centennial celebrations and in the organization of the Norwegian League of Minneapolis, and his service as president of both the 1925 Norse-American Centennial in St. Paul and its administrative body, Norse-American Centennial, Inc. The majority of the papers deal with his Norse-American Centennial activities.
Arranged chronologically within each series, the papers include letters, newspaper clippings, invitations, programs, telegrams, minutes, speeches, articles, study programs, and volumes.
The collection is divided into the following series: correspondence and related papers, materials from the centennial celebrations of Royal Frederick's University, Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway (1911) and of Norway's constitution (1914), speeches and articles written by or about Bothne, study programs, drawings, clippings, volumes, and oversize papers.
Accession number: 4402
Processed by: Cheryl N. Thies, July 1984
Catalog ID number: 09-00040598
The bulk of the correspondence deals with Bothne's activities as president of both the Norse-American centennial celebration held in St. Paul on June 7-9, 1925 and its administrative body, Norse-American Centennial, Inc. The centennial commemorated the 1825 landing of the sloop "Restaurationen," which carried the first Norwegian immigrants to North America. Included are letters from other Norse-American Centennial, Inc. officers, particularly George C. Ulen, publicity chairman, Nels T. Moen, first vice-president, and J. S. Holvick, secretary, detailing their centennial activities (1924-1926); from United States Representative O. J. Kvale describing his efforts to have a commemorative stamp issued by the United States Postal Department (1924-1925); from Arne Kildal, Foreign Office of Norway press representative, concerning domestic and foreign press coverage of the centennial (1924-1925); and from President Coolidge's private secretary arranging President and Mrs. Coolidge's visit to the centennial (1925-1926).
Other topics covered in the correspondence include Bothne's activities as a professor at Luther College and the U. of M., his many speaking engagements, and his efforts to form a Norwegian-American Historical Association and to establish a Scandinavian museum at the U. of M.
Includes a songbook from the Norwegian Students Choral Union's tour of America (1905); letters from John B. Jackson, American legation, Athens, concerning Bothne's stay in Greece (March 1905); a congratulatory telegram upon his appointment to the U. of M. faculty from the Northwestern University, Watertown, Wisconsin faculty (1907); a petition from the Luther College student body requesting Bothne to remain at Luther (June 1907); the Minneapolis Syttende Mai Fest program (May 1908); a letter from Frederick Jackson Turner discussing his opinion of the Kensington Runestone (Feb. 1910); a resolution adopted by the Norwegian-Danish Press Association of America in favor of a Scandinavian House at the U. of M. (Oct. 1912); a letter (copy) from governor Adolph O. Eberhart recommending Bothne as minister to Norway (May 1913); proposed Norse American Historical Society charter and bylaws (May 1921); and a handwritten copy (in Norwegian) of an 1837 report regarding emigration from the Hardanger district of Norway (undated). The latter was most likely sent to Bothne while a professor at the U. of M.
Mainly correspondence dealing with the 1925 Norse-American Centennial, including letters from Oscar L. Olson, Luther College president, concerning Luther's musical contribution to the centennial (Feb.; May); letters from individuals and Norwegian language newspapers favoring the establishment of a Norwegian-American Historical Association; letters from the presidents of Concordia and St. Olaf colleges concerning their appointment to a centennial committee to judge Norse-American historical papers (Sept. 8); materials from the centennial director's meetings (Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12); letters promoting the centennial to groups in Norway (Oct. 13, 22) and requesting that Icelanders have a part (Oct. 16); a list of local "bygdelags" planning to hold their annual convention in conjunction with the centennial (Dec. 11); and a letter from O. M. Norlie, Decorah, Iowa, detailing his work on a history of the Norwegian people in America (Dec. 17).
Includes minutes of the Norse-American Centennial, Inc. executive committee (Jan. 17) and directors' (Jan. 30) meetings; a letter detailing the introduction of a congressional bill to authorize the issuance of commemorative centennial medals (Feb. 4); a copy of Representative O. J. Kvale's speech to the House of Representatives describing the centennial (Feb. 24); letters concerning Canadian centennial activities (Jan. 29; Feb. 25; March 19, 27; April 17); letters from Edgar Erskine Hume, U.S. Surgeon General, expressing his wish to award the Order of Lafayette to visiting Norwegian dignitaries (March 2), from Senator Henrik Shipstead affirming his attendance at the centennial (April 9), from Theodore C. Blegen enclosing a proposed Norse (or Norwegian) American Historical Society constitution (April 25; 28), from Hans Christofferson of Tamarack, Minnesota asking that the centennial recount the Norwegians' role in introducing skiing to the United States (May 27), and from Hans Fay, Norwegian consul general in New York City, concerning the centennial visit of Norwegian artist Mons Breidvik (May 29) and the need for an orientation for the Norwegian representatives (May 30); and several letters detailing Bothne's various speaking engagements (May).
Includes a list of honorary centennial committee members (June); a series of letters detailing the preparations for President Coolidge's visit (June 2-4); the centennial's coupon book, advertising flyer, and art exhibition booklet and catalog of exhibits (June 6-9); a typed copy of the National Convention of Bygdelags program, held in conjunction with the centennial (June 6); materials from the production of "Pageant of the Northmen," the centennial's historical play (June 7-9); the program and menu from a luncheon in honor of President and Mrs. Coolidge (June 8); a thank-you to the centennial's executive committee from the Canadian Central Committee (June 9); and the minutes of a director's meeting (June 16).
Contains a thank-you from President Coolidge (July 3); the "Order of Service for Commemoration Sunday, Centennial of the Arrival of the First Norwegian Immigrants in America" (July 5); a request from E. N. Selvig, Sesqui Centennial, Leif Ericson Committee, Philadelphia, for help in portraying the Norwegian-Americans' role in American history for the 150th anniversary of American independence (July 6); minutes of director's meetings (July 15, Sept. 10; including a list of Norse-American Centennial, Inc. stockholders, Sept. 12); numerous thank-yous to the executive committee (July); an invitation to Bothne to participate in a three-day Norwegian centennial celebration in New York City (July 20); the financial report of Norse-America Centennial, Inc. for Feb. 28, 1923-July 31, 1925 (Sept. 3); and a letter from J. A. Holvik, centennial secretary, concerning issuing of a special commemorative document and medals to official centennial participants (Oct. 22).
Includes photographs of the commemorative document and medals sent to President Coolidge (April 5, 1926) and thank-yous for them from Coolidge (April 5) and others; letters regarding a Leif Ericson Fest (July 18; Sept. 30, 1927); letters, resolutions, and notes from a planning meeting to encourage construction of a Scandinavian museum building at the University of Minnesota (Nov. 1927; Jan., May 1928); telegrams reflecting Bothne's participation in the Henrik Ibsen centenary (Feb. 1928); memorandum detailing the Minnesota Cultural Institute Campaign's committee to outline a plan of action for the establishment of a Museum of National Cultures at the University of Minnesota (May 27, 1928); an appreciation letter from University of Minnesota president L. D. Coffman for Bothne's many years of service to the university (May 6, 1929); and programs for several events honoring Bothne or featuring him as speaker.
Bothne served as the University of Minnesota's official representative to this centenery celebration. Includes a provisional program, a short history of the university, and a delegate list (undated); invitation, program, menu, and participant list for the first festival, featuring the national theater (Sept. 2); and invitations to a reception at the city's Grand Hotel (Sept. 4), a supper given by the King of Norway (Sept. 5), the second festival, featuring instrumental and vocal music (Sept. 6), a dinner hosted by the city of Kristiania (Sept. 6), and the city's museums and a national theater performance (Sept. 7).
Bothne again served as the University of Minnesota's
representative to this celebration of the 1814 signing of Norway's constitution
at Eidsvold. Includes Bothne's appointment by governor Adolph O. Eberhart and
an introductory letter from University of Minnesota president George E.
Vincent, both in English; the invitation, program, menu, and delegate list for
a Trondjhems Community midday festival (May 20); program and menu from a
banquet for the Norsk-American Kirkesamfunds Utsendinge (June 23); program of a
Landssanger festen concert in Kristiania (June 27); invitations to several
other centennial events; the July 4 newsletter,
Written by and about Bothne, in both English and Norwegian. Included are writings on Bj�rnstjerne Bj�rnson, Norwegian author and political leader (undated and 1932), Senator William E. Borah, the Danish language, and Leif Ericson (all undated); various Norwegian Lutheran colleges, especially Luther College (undated and ca. 1925) and St. Olaf College (1910); famous Norwegians Peter Andreas Munch and Dr. Fridtjof Nansen (both undated); the Royal Frederick's University centennial (ca. 1911); the Norwegian Lutheran Church and education (1921); Henrik Ibsen (1921, ca. 1928); Syttende Mai (1925); the Norse-American Centennial (1925); Iceland (1929); Bothne's support of Minnesota governor Floyd B. Olson's re-election (ca. 1932); and the one hundredth anniversary of Professor Peter Laurentius Larsen at Luther College (1933).
Two programs developed by Bothne to be used by various clubs and organizations in the study of Norway and Sweden, entitled "A Tour Through Sweden" and "A Tour Through Norway."
Mostly unsigned and undated ink and pencil caricatures of Bothne. Also includes two sketches done in pen and watercolor by H. Guarta in 1886; they appear to illustrate Norwegian peasant life or folk stories.
The clippings are printed in both English and Norwegian. Due to their rapidly deteriorating condition they were photocopied in 1984 and the originals discarded.
The majority of the clippings deal with the 1925 Norse-American Centennial and include details on Bothne's appointment as centennial president (April 1924), the issuance of commemorative stamps, preparations for the June 2nd track and field meet (May 31), the annual bygdelag convention (June 3), the dirigible "Los Angeles's" participation in the festivities (June 7, 9), the arrival of President and Mrs. Coolidge (June 7), Coolidge's and Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg's speeches (June 8-9, 12), the performance of Willard Dillman's "Pageant of the Northman," a tribute to Civil War hero Hans C. Heg (June 9-10), the centennial's total attendance figure of 212,000 (June 10), and the departure of the Norwegian delegates (June 14). There are numerous articles on early Norwegian immigrants and frontier settlers, the contributions of Norwegian-Americans to American politics and business, and the many Norwegian language newspapers in the United States (June 7-9).
There are also articles on Bothne's trip to British Columbia (undated); Bothne's Christmas party for the U. of M. Norwegian Literary Club (undated); Bothne's descriptions of Norway's schools and Luther College (Jan. 1905); his career at Luther (Sept. 1905, Feb. 1906, June 1907); his reports from the Royal Frederick's University Centennial in Norway (Oct. 1911); his views on Norwegian literature (1923); the proposed constitution of the Norwegian-American Historical Society (May 1925); Bothne's continuing efforts to establish a Scandinavian museum at the U. of M. (1925-1927); the organization of the Norwegian League of Minneapolis, with Bothne as president (July 1927); a tribute to Leif Ericson and attempts to have a Minneapolis park renamed after him (Aug. 1927); Bothne's trip to the Henrik Ibsen Centenary in Oslo, Norway (1928); his resignation from the U. of M. (May 1929); and his role in organizing a Bj�rnstjerne Bj�rnson centenary festival (Dec. 1932).
Bothne's writings on Plato's works, possibly teaching notes. In English.
Possibly Bothne's teaching notes; in English and Norwegian. Only one (July 4, 1899) is dated.
In Latin.
Concerns the Royal Frederick's University, Kristiania (Oslo), Norway, centennial, Sept. 1911. Sent to the University of Minnesota, which Bothne represented at the centennial. In Latin.
Statement of support of the Norse-American centennial.
Special section (8 pp.) and photogravure and pictorial section (8 pp.), both featuring stories and artwork depicting various aspects of Norwegian immigration to the United States and the lives of Norwegian-Americans.
Special section (8 pp.) and rotogravure section (4 pp.). See
description for
Page one, featuring a colored drawing depicting Norwegian-American contributions to the United States, and page two, containing related articles.