15/13/49 Guide to the Natalia M. Belting Papers Natalia M. Belting Papers

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This finding aid was encoding in EAD by Archon 3.21 from an SQL database source on March 29th, 2024. The collection description/finding aid is written in English
Guide to the Natalia M. Belting Papers 1943/1997 University of Illinois Archives Overview of the Collection Natalia M. Belting Papers 1943-1997 15/13/49 Belting, Natalia Maree, 1915-1997 1.30 English University of Illinois Archives
19 Library 1408 W. Gregory Dr. Urbana, IL, URL: http://archives.library.illinois.edu Email: illiarch@illinois.edu Phone: (217) 333-0798 Fax: (217) 333-2868
Biographical Information:

Natalia Maree Belting was born on July 11, 1915 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Her parents encouraged her to read, and she wrote her first book at age six. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana in 1936, and went on to earn a master's degree and Ph.D. in American history (1940) from the same institution. She taught history at her alma mater from 1942 until her retirement. She became an associate professor in 1973, and retired as a full professor. She studied and wrote about the history of Native Americans and early French colonizers in Illinois. This research formed the basis of her first children's book, Pierre of Kaskaskia, as well as her third book, In Enemy Hands. Indy and Mr. Lincoln, and Verity Mullens and the Indian were also based on historical incidents. For the most part though, Belting adapted myths and folktales for young readers. Focusing on a single theme, such as "little people" (Elves and Ellefolk) or the sun (The Sun Is a Golden Earring), Belting usually included ten to twenty myths from around the world. In 1962, The Sun Is a Golden Earring, with illustrations by Bernarda Bryson, was a Caldecott Medal honor book. Throughout her adult life, Belting was active in community affairs, and preached occasionally at Presbyterian churches. As of 1996, she was a professor emerita and still living in Urbana, Illinois.

Access Terms

This Collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Genre/Form of Material: Papers Topical Term: Champaign, Illinois Faculty Papers Faculty Promotions History Department Railroad History
Administrative Information Accruals:

6/13/97

Related Materials:

Additional materials at the Illinois History and Licoln Collection: https://www.library.illinois.edu/ihx/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=7

Arrangement of Materials:

By subject and choronological thereunder.

Scope and Contents

Papers of Natalia Maree Belting (1915-1997), Professor of History (1941-1985), including journals, correspondence, biographical newsclippings, photos of Dr. Belting, manuscripts, vita, publications lists, publication reprints, and notes concerning Illinois and Indiana local history, the life and work of Dr. Belting, nomination and awarding of Mothers Association Medal of Honor. Journals and correspondence (1979-94) pertain to the weather, daily occurances of Dr. Belting's life, and events including birthdays and holidays. Dr. Belting's complaint to the university regarding lack of promotion and salary increase including all correspondence, manuscripts, vita, and publication lists are filed in the Robert M. Sutton Papers, RS: 15/13/48.