Otto E. Guthe papers
Collection
Identifier: GTM-861216
The Otto E. Guthe Papers consist of correspondence and articles relating chiefly to the field of geography, with some family and personal materials included. Guthe belonged to many societies and associations, most of which were related to geography, including the association of American Geographers, the National Research Council, the Cosmos Club, the American Geographical Society, etc. His professional status and his ability as a geographer led him to associate with people at the top of his profession.
The majority of material in this collection consists of correspondence in regard to his family, his friends, his profession, and the many societies and organizations to which he belonged. There are also numerous papers, addresses, reports, and articles relating to geography and, to a very small extent, intelligence. Some of the most interesting material in the collection is that relating to remote sensing and the use of satellite photography in geographic research. This includes a military memorandum recommending the reclassification of the security level on remote sensing to permit its use in civilian research in order to further realize its full potential both to geography in general and to the government in particular. Remote sensing was reclassified and opened whole new doors for geographers in their knowledge and ability to perform accurate and relevant research. Many of the articles and reports which are in this collection reflect that new era for geography.
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Born in 1904, Otto Guthe was the youngesto f three children in his family (his brother and sister were Carl and Ida Belle). He received all of his degrees, through his PhD, in Geography at the University of Michigan. While still finishing his PhD, Guthe taught geography courses at the University of Michigan until 1935. At that time, he took a position with the Tennessee Valley Authority to help conduct land classification surveys of areas to be affected by the construction of reservoirs. From the TVA, Guthe went on to work for the Soil Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture from 1937-1941, conducting soil research in the midwest. In 1941, Guthe transferred to the Department of State, Division of Geography and Cartography, where he assumed the role of Assistant Chief of the division. This was the beginning of his administrative career. From here he eventually became Chief of the Map Intelligence Division of the Department of State. Upon the inception of the CIA, in 1947, Guthe was recruited to become the Chief of Geographic Research and was eventually promoted to Director of the Office of Research and Reports, which position he held until his retirement in 1965. Unwilling to remain inactive, despite the health problems (referred to in his letter of resignation) which caused him to resign, Guthe took on light consulting work for the CIA for several more years. Otto Guthe died in 1984, survived by his wife, Katherine, and his daughter, Jane.
2 Linear Feet (2 Hollinger Record Storage boxes)
English
Gift of Katherine S. Guthe, December 1986.
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository