Wheeler, Ruth Winifred Robinson, 1890-1973

Ruth Robinson is a historian and author of Concord, Mass.

From the description of Photograph album, from the papers of Ruth R. Wheeler, containing views by an unidentified photographer, mainly of Concord, Mass., taken along or from the Sudbury and Concord Rivers, ca. 1900-ca. 1903. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 47688451

Artist and illustrator N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945) was an admirer of Henry D. Thoreau (1817-1862). Inspired by Thoreau's life and work, he conceived the idea for and illustrated Men of Concord and Some Others as Portrayed in the Journal of Henry David Thoreau, edited by Francis H. Allen (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1936). Ruth R. Wheeler (1890-1973), a Concord historian and author, lost her son, Caleb Kendall Wheeler (1922-1944), in action over Hungary on July 2, 1944.

(Cont.) To make an appropriate memorial to her son, she wrote to N.C. Wyeth and requested one of his original Men of Concord paintings. It was to be kept in the Concord Free Public Library. Wyeth responded positively, but before the painting was handed over, he died in an accident on October 19, 1945. Mrs. Wheeler corresponded with his son, Andrew Wyeth, and son-in-law, John McCoy II, and eventually obtained the painting she had chosen, The Carpenters Repairing Hubbard's Bridge. The Library also bought two other Men of Concord paintings by Wyeth.

From the description of Ruth R. Wheeler-- N.C. Wyeth correspondence, 1944-1970 (bulk 1944-1947). (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 46791974

Historian & author of Concord, Mass. Born in Watertown, Mass., to George Frederick & Grace Pratt Robinson, 1890; m. Caleb H. Wheeler of Concord, 1916; d. in Concord, 1973. Graduated from Vassar College, 1912, then studied at University of Munich. Taught school in Ramsey, N.J. & North Stonington, Conn. After marriage, lived in Thoreau birthplace on Virginia Rd. in Concord, later at Fairhaven. Active member of Concord boards & committees from late 1920s. Co-authored Great Little Watertown (published 1930) with father. Author of Our American Mile (1957), Concord, Climate for.

(Cont.) Freedom (1967), & numerous newspaper articles on Concord history, houses, & people. News editor for Concord Journal. Research on North Bridge area for Minute Man National Historical Park resulted in 1964 typescript North Bridge Neighbors. Founder & officer of Thoreau Society, committed to preservation of Walden Pond. Recipient of Concord's Honored Citizen Award, 1970. Member of Concord Antiquarian Society & of First Parish in Concord. Ruth & Caleb Wheeler had five sons.

From the description of Ruth R. Wheeler papers, 1843-1972 (bulk 1921-1972). (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 36513266

Historian and author of Concord, Mass. Born in Watertown, Mass. 1900; married Caleb Wheeler of Concord, 1916; d. in Concord, 1973. Graduated Vassar College, 1912, then studied at University of Munich. After marriage, lived in Thoreau birthplace on Virginia Rd. in Concord, later in Staples' Camp at Fairhaven. Active member of Concord boards & committees from late 1920s. Co-author of of Great Little Watertown (1930) with her father. Author of Our American Mile (1957), Concord, Climate for Freedon (1967), & numerous newspaper articles on Concord history, houses, & people.

(Cont.) News editor for Concord Journal. Research on North Bridge area for Minute Man National Historic Park resulted in 1964 typescript North Bridge Neighbors. Founding member & officer of Thoreau Society. Committed to preservation of Walden Pond. Recipient of Concord's Honored Citizen Award, 1970. Member of Concord Antiquarian Society & First Parish in Concord.

From the description of Ruth R. Wheeler collection of glass plate images of Concord and Sudbury, Massachusetts [graphic], [ca 1890-ca. 1910]. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 40431922