Riis, John, papers A Guide to the John Riis papers, 1906-1941 M 272 A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Collection number M 272

A Guide to the John Riis papers, 1906-1941 M 272

A Collection in Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Collection number M 272


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VCU James Branch Cabell Library

Special Collections and Archives 901 Park Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23284
Business Number: (804) 828-1108
libjbcsca@vcu.edu
URL: https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/locations/#cabell

Betsy Pittman

Repository
VCU James Branch Cabell Library
Identification
M 272
Title
John Riis papers 1906-1941
Quantity
0.5 Linear Feet
Creator
Riis, John, 1882-1946
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

John Riis papers, Collection # M 272, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.


Biographical / Historical

John Riis (1882-1946) was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Jacob A. and Elizabeth D. Riis. He attended Pratt Institute High School and Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. In 1902, Mr. Riis "went West" and, for several years, worked on ranches in Nebraska and Utah with a one year break as a probation officer in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Riis spent a few years in the United States Forestry Service in Utah and Oregon, where he met Miss Ruth L. Potts. After their marriage, the Riis' continued to live in Oregon for some time before moving east, eventually settling in Richmond, Virginia, where Mr. Riis became the City Hall reporter for The Richmond News Leader. Mr. Riis was a reporter for twenty years and published several stories and a book, Ranger Trails, based on his experiences as a Ranger before his death on 28 September 1946.

Scope and Contents

The papers encompass the years 1906-1941. The bulk of the Collection falls in the years 1911-1914 and the correspondence reflects the courtship of John Riis and Ruth Potts. The collection also contains correspondence to and from family members and several clippings.

Arrangement

Materials arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Forest rangers -- Archives -- United States
  • Reporters and reporting -- Archives -- Virginia -- Richmond
  • Riis, John, 1882-1946

Container List

Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1
Correspondence
1906-1912
Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2
Correspondence
1913
Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3
Correspondence
1914-1941