File:Edmond S Meany, circa 1920-1925 (PORTRAITS 2051).jpg

PH Coll 484.B33

Edmond S. Meany (1862-1935) was born in East Saginaw, Michigan. He moved west with his family, arriving in Seattle in 1877. At the time, the University of Washington was still the Territorial University; Meany graduated from it as valedictorian of his class of 1885 with a bachelor's degree in science. He obtained a master's degree in science in 1889. He also married Sarah Elizabeth Ward on May 1, 1889. During this period, Meany had earned a living in newspaper delivery. Soon he had worked his way up in the newspaper business to become editor and publisher for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. By 1890, Meany had started his own news service called the Washington State News Bureau, and had been hired as press agent to represent Washington State at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Meany served as a Washington State legislator during the 1891 and 1893 sessions. He initiated legislation that set aside 355 acres to be used for the new campus of the University of Washington. Meany was instrumental in bringing the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition to the University's campus in 1909. This led to the clearing of portions of the new campus for the construction of buildings, some of which later were used by the University. Meany was an indefatigable historian and collector, a prolific writer, a prominent and popular civic leader. He was perhaps the most influential and beloved figure of the University's history. In 1894, Meany became the UW's first registrar while also holding positions as an instructor and secretary to the UW Board of Regents. Meany was particularly interested in Pacific Northwest history, especially Washington State history, on which he wrote many books and countless articles and speeches. In 1897, he became a full professor and head of the UW history department, teaching courses in forestry, American history, and Pacific Northwest history. Through his research, he became a collector of documents and photographs important to the history of the region. In 1929, he donated most of these rare and important documents to the UW library. During the last 25 years of his life, Meany collected materials on many early Washington pioneers. He amassed thousands of items, ranging from simple obituary notices to lengthy reminiscences by pioneers in letters or on specially devised forms. With the help of research assistant Victor J. Farrar, Meany conducted interviews and created extensive files on these pioneers.

• Subjects (LCSH): Meany, Edmond S. (Edmond Stephen), 1862-1935; Men--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; Historians--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; Legislators--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; Authors--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; College teachers--Washington (State)--Seattle--Portraits; ;