Scope and Content:

The collection of Clyde E. Keeler focuses primarily on his work in medical genetics. They include his work regarding a single-gene mutation in the retina of mouse eyes, albinism in humans, and problems caused by genetics in mental patients. Other materials include writings by Keeler and other authors on the Cuna Indians, and photographs and items related to Keeler's interest in pre-1492 visits to America by European cultures. The inclusive dates of the collection are 1923-1993, while the bulk of the collection covers the period between 1923 and 1973.

Series one focuses on medical genetics. This series includes six bound volumes of articles authored or co-authored by Keeler on genetics, his master's dissertation from Denison University and his thesis from Harvard University, which was written to fulfill requirements for his master's and doctoral degrees.
Series two contains the manuscript for Keeler's autobiography, "The Gene Hunter."
Series three consists of Keeler's writings on the San Blas Islands of Panama and the Cuna Indians.
Series four includes material on the San Blas Islands, the Cuna Indian population, and Central America by other authors.
Series five contains Keeler's photograph collection.
Series six consists of Keeler's personal anthropological and archaeological research materials.
Series seven includes miscellaneous papers, including notes on topics not related to other materials in this collection.
Series eight consists of a portion of Keeler's book collection that he either wrote or used in his research.
Series nine contains a display made by Keeler, artifacts from the Cuna and other tribes, plaster casts of the hands and feet of Cuna Indians, and scrapbooks.

Provenance: The Keeler family donated the collection to the Ina Dillard Russell Library in 2001 and the family will be making ongoing donations of material.

Arrangement of Collection: Documents were assigned to series based on their subject matter after the materials were appraised. Keeler's articles on medical genetics are found in two series. Manuscripts and loose copies of articles are found in series one, while bound copies of some of Keeler's articles are in series eight.

The Clyde E. Keeler collection consists of approximately 13 cubic feet of materials. The collection is in five ½ cubic foot boxes, eight one cubic foot boxes, one map box, two 10" x 11" boxes, one 8 ½" x 12" box, one 5" x 7" box, four 19 ¼” x 23 ½” scrapbooks and one 36” cardboard tube.