The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Ruby K. Worner Papers 1880-1995
© 2017 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Worner, Ruby K. Papers |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1880-1995 |
| Size: | 4 linear feet (8 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | Ruby Kathryn Worner (1900-1995) was a chemist who specialized in the textile industry. Worner studied at the University of Chicago where she earned her Bachelor’s, Masters and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry (1921, 1922, and 1925). Worner worked for the United States Bureau of Home Economics as well as Southern Regional Laboratories, making numerous advancements in textile production. This collection contains personal memorabilia; correspondence; academic documents; personal, travel, and professional photographs; awards, diplomas, plaques; and a glass dish. The collection documents both Worner’s personal life -- her travels, and her relationships with friends and family--and Worner’s professional life -- her accomplishments, and her writings. Materials in the collection date between 1880 and 1995. |
This collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Worner, Ruby K. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Ruby Kathryn Worner was born in November 1922 to Henry Worner and Mary Kiesling Worner in Manito Illinois. She had two brothers--Harold H Worner and Wilford J. Worner. In 1918, Worner moved to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago. She earned her degree in chemistry from the Francis Shimer School in 1921. Worner continued her studies at the University of Chicago, earning her Master’s degree in 1922, and her Ph.D. in 1925. Her dissertation was titled “The Thermal Decomposition of Chloropentanmine Chromic Chloride.” Throughout her career at the university, Worner was a sponsor for the Federation of Women, the vice president of Yellow Jacket, on the Ida Noyes Advisory Council, a member of the Y.W. C.A, and a member of Nu Pi Sigma.
In 1927, Worner began working for the United States Bureau of Home Economics as a chemist in Washington, D.C. She continued to work for Bureau until she moved to Louisiana in 1940 to pursue her research with Southern Regional Laboratories. From 1961 to 1965, Worner taught as a Fulbright professor at the University of Alexandria, in Egypt. Worner received numerous awards for her dedicated and innovative work in the textile industry. In 1964, she was given an award of Merit from the American Society for Testing and Materials. In 1966, the same society awarded her honorary membership.
Worner died in 1995 in Peoria, Illinois.
The Ruby K. Worner Collection is organized into eight series: Series I: Personal; Series II: Correspondence; Series III: The University of Chicago; Series IV: Chemical and Textile Work; Series V: Photographs; Series VI: Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas; Series VII: Artifact; Series VIII: Oversized. This collection contains personal memorabilia; travel journals; biographical documents; correspondence; convocation programs; academic writings; personal, travel, and professional photographs; awards, diplomas, plaques; a glass dish. Materials date from 1880 to 1995, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1940 to 1965. The collection documents both Worner’s personal life -- her travels, and her relationships with friends and family--and Worner’s professional life -- her accomplishments, and her writings.
Series I, Personal, contains ephemera and memorabilia such as dinner menus, receipts, travel journals, pressed plants, travel documents, and newspaper clippings dating between 1907 and 1980. This series is organized chronologically.
Series II, Correspondence, contains outgoing and incoming letters and postcards dating between 1961 and 1962. This series contains material that is both personal and professional. The correspondence has been organized alphabetically by surname of correspondent. In several instances, the surname of the correspondent could not be ascertained, and these are filed by first name. In two instances letters are addressed to multiple people. The number and recipients vary from letter to letter, but in each case, the conversation has been grouped together. These instances have been noted in the inventory.
Series III, The University of Chicago, contains convocation programs, invitations, typescripts, and documents related to Worner’s work at the University of Chicago. The material in this collection has been organized chronologically and dates between 1914 and 1926.
Series IV, Chemical and Textile Work, contains typescripts, newspaper clippings, academic journals, and a business card that pertains to Worner’s professional life. The material in this collection is organized chronologically and dates between 1940 and 1970.
Series V, Photographs, contains photographic material that relates to Worner’s personal and professional life dating between 1880 and 1988. This series is divided into three subseries:
Subseries 1, Personal, Portraits, and Family, contains images of Ruby Worner and other family members and friends. This subseries first groups all portraits and images of Ruby K. Worner in chronological order. Then, the subseries arranges all portraits of identified individuals in chronological order. Finally, the subseries arranges all images of unidentified individuals in chronological order. This subseries dates between 1880 and 1988.
Subseries 2, Travel, groups personal and professional images related to Worner that were taken abroad. The bulk of these photographs were taken in Egypt. Other countries include Mexico, Japan, and England. The material in this subseries is organized chronologically and dates between 1930 and 1975.
Subseries 3, Work, organizes professional images of Worner and her coworkers, taken either at a photoshoot for Southern Regional Laboratories, an Employee picture day, or a work-related dinner party. The material in this subseries is organized chronologically and dates between 1941 and 1971.
Series VI, Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas, contains certificates and awards that honor Worner’s personal and professional accomplishments. The materials in this collection are organized chronologically from 1928 to 1977.
Series VII, Artifact, contains one glass dish that is undated.
Series VIII, Oversized, Collects photographs, and awards that are oversized. This subseries begins with a photo album that contains pictures and postcards. The second part of this series continues to arrange photographs chronologically. Then, the series orders awards and diplomas based on their size, and then chronologically. The material in this series dates between 1900 and 1971.
The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/spcl/select.html
University of Chicago. Department of Chemistry. Records
Series I: Personal |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Dinner Menus from France, the US, and Germany, 1907-1952 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Unidentified Building -- Art Print, circa 1940-1965 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Pocket Address Book and miscellaneous receipts [1/2], 1945-1974 |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Pocket Address Book and miscellaneous receipts [2/2], 1945-1974 |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Travel Journal with correspondence, calling cards, and pressed plants, 1957-1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | American Standards Association -- Delegate Pass, 1958 |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Museum ticket and page from a travel book, circa 1961 |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Travel Journal with receipts, correspondence, flight schedule, and a page from a travel book [1/2], 1961-1967 |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Travel Journal with receipts, correspondence, flight schedule, and a page from a travel book [2/2], 1961-1967 |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | United States Department of Agriculture -- Biographical document, 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | United Nations Laissez-Passer (Passport) and correspondence, 1963 |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | United States of America Passport, 1963-1966 |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | United States of America Passport and ticket stub, 1967-1970 |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Saving Abu Simbel -- Informational document, circa 1970-1980 |
| Box 1 Folder 15 | Memorial Service Program for Ruby K. Worner, 1995 |
| Box 1 Folder 16 | Weather report and Proverb -- newspaper clippings, undated |
Series II: Correspondence |
| Box 1 Folder 17 | Abdel and Mahanson, 1961 |
| Box 1 Folder 18 | Adams, Cleaveland L., 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 19 | Adams, Robert, 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 20 | American Society for Testing and Materials -- Award of Merit, 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 21 | American Society for Testing and Materials -- Awards Luncheon, 1964 |
| Box 1 Folder 22 | Anderson, Myrtle and Bourdette, Vernon, 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 23 | Appel, Wm, D, 1961 |
| Box 1 Folder 24 | Badr, A., circa 1961-1965 |
| Box 1 Folder 25 | Barbara, 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 26 | Beale, Howard K., 1943-1944 |
| Box 1 Folder 27 | Behery, Hassan El, 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 28 | Bernice -- photographic postcard, 1983 |
| Box 1 Folder 29 | Bolman, Marcelle, 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 30 | Bornet, George M., 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 31 | Breaden, Mona L., 1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 32 | Dilmer, Fred J., circa 1961-1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 33 | Dombras, Theodore, 1961-1962 |
| Box 1 Folder 34 | Fenner, Darwin S., 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Francis Shimer School, 1927 |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Fulbright Professor Retirement -- Invitation, correspondence and newspaper clipping, 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Gerry, circa 1961-1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Gordale, Emma, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | G. Y. M -- correspondence and Reader's digest offprint, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Harding, Glen, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Harriet, circa 1961-1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Harrison, Mary Henrick -- Birthday Card and Newspaper Clipping, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Harvey, Hale, 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | Henry, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | Herbert, Henry, 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 12 | Hopper, T.H., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 13 | Hostette, Louise -- YWCA delegation information, 1920 |
| Box 2 Folder 14 | Irene, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 15 | Johnson, Dr. and Mrs., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 16 | Junken, Elena Ruth, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 17 | Kane, Harnet T., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 18 | Kelly, W. G., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 19 | Lauis, Annie, circa 1961-1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 20 | Lehmann, G. A, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 21 | Maria, 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 22 | McKittric, C. E., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 23 | McKoy, Charles F., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 24 | Meleny, Dra md Mrs., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 25 | Meulemeester, Dr. and Madame Dee, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 26 | Moyer, Esther -- Letter Excerpts, 1965 |
| Box 2 Folder 27 | Nancy and Marshal, 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 28 | Nickerson, Dorothy, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 29 | Oglesby, Claire Craig, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 30 | Sadlia, Dost Maria, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 31 | Seleb, Kirth, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 32 | Shahin, Issa, 1960 |
| Box 2 Folder 33 | Sisley, J. R., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 34 | Soignet, Grace, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 35 | Soliman, Abdul El Rahim Mohamed and Bary, Anwar Adbel, 1965 |
| Box 2 Folder 36 | Spacht, Grace and Maria, Irene, and Margaret, 1962
|
| Box 2 Folder 37 | Steigliz, Julius, 1927 |
| Box 2 Folder 38 | Trufalt, Evie, circa 1960-1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 39 | Vester, Bertha, 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 40 | Warty, S.S., 1962 |
| Box 2 Folder 41 | Watkins, Bradley and Martha, 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 42 | Wilfred, 1964 |
| Box 2 Folder 43 | Wilfred, Mildred, Emile and Florence, 1962
|
| Box 2 Folder 44 | Worner Family, 1930-1964 |
| Box 2 Folder 45 | Worner, Ruby and Unidentified Woman -- Christmas card, circa 1950-1960 |
Series III: The University of Chicago |
| Box 2 Folder 46 | Convocation Program -- Frances Shimmer School, 1914 |
| Box 2 Folder 47 | Convocation Program -- Frances Shimmer School, 1917 |
| Box 2 Folder 48 | Invitation to Quadrangle Club and Prince of Wales Visit, circa 1917-1925 |
| Box 2 Folder 49 | Report on the Student Volunteer Convention -- Typescript, circa 1919-1925 |
| Box 2 Folder 50 | Convocation Invitation and Itinerary, 1921 |
| Box 2 Folder 51 | Convocation Invitation and University of Chicago Weekly Calendar (Aug. 15 1925), 1921-1925 |
| Box 2 Folder 52 | Convocation Program, 1921 |
| Box 2 Folder 53 | Convocation Program, 1922 |
| Box 2 Folder 54 | Convocation Program, 1923 |
| Box 2 Folder 55 | Convocation Program, 1925 |
| Box 2 Folder 56 | Dissertation Correspondence -- Julius Stieglitz, 1925 |
| Box 2 Folder 57 | Dissertation Abstract -- The Thermal Decomposition of Chloropentanmine Chromic Chloride -- Offprint, 1925-1926 |
Series IV: Chemical and Textile Work |
| Box 2 Folder 58 | The five W's -- Typescript, circa 1940-1960 |
| Box 2 Folder 59 | New Orleans Item Tribune -- "Just Mix Chemistry, Cotton and Imagination" -- Newspaper Clipping, 1946 |
| Box 2 Folder 60 | Cap't Broadfoot -- "Women in Industry" -- Newspaper Clipping, circa 1950-1960 |
| Box 2 Folder 61 | Le Laboratoire Textile de l'Universite de Gand -- Offprint, 1951 |
| Box 2 Folder 62 | "Dr. Worner, San Jose in England" -- Newspaper Clipping, 1951 |
| Box 2 Folder 63 | Journal of the Textile Institute (Vol.49, No.7) -- Offprint, 1958 |
| Box 2 Folder 64 | Fulbright Lecturer at the University of Alexandria -- Business Cards, 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 65 | The Press and Journal Inverness -- "Cook's Tour Sheikh Sees the Highlands" -- Newspaper Clipping, 1961 |
| Box 2 Folder 66 | Chart showing the organization of the ISO and ISO/TC 38 with related subcommittees and working groups, 1963 |
| Box 2 Folder 67 | "'Trip around the World in 60 Minutes' Review" -- Newspaper Clipping, 1967 |
| Box 2 Folder 68 | "Dr. Worner to serve with IESC in Philippines" -- Newspaper Clipping, 1970 |
Series V: Photographs |
Subseries I: Personal, Portraits and Family |
| Box 3 Folder 1 | Ruby Worner -- Harris and Ewing Studio, circa 1910-1920 |
| Box 3 Folder 2 | Ruby Worner -- Clineduis Studio, circa 1915-1920 |
| Box 3 Folder 3 | Ruby Worner, circa 1915-1925 |
| Box 3 Folder 4 | Ruby Worner at the University of Chicago, 1918-1925 |
| Box 3 Folder 5 | YWCA at the University of Chicago, 1919-1920 |
| Box 3 Folder 6 | Worner Family, circa 1930-1945 |
| Box 3 Folder 7 | Ruby Worner, circa 1930-1950 |
| Box 3 Folder 8 | Ruby Worner at dinner parties, circa 1945-1965 |
| Box 3 Folder 9 | Ruby Worner, circa 1950-1960 |
| Box 3 Folder 10 | Ruby Worner at a Party, circa 1950-1960 |
| Box 3 Folder 11 | Ruby Worner and Unidentified Group -- Cartan's Yellowstone Tour, 1968 |
| Box 3 Folder 12 | Ruby Worner and Unidentified People, 1977 |
| Box 3 Folder 13 | Worner Family Grave, 1987-1988 |
| Box 3 Folder 14 | Ruby Worner and Two Unidentified People, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 15 | Howard Beale and Small Worner Family Portrait -- Harris and Ewing Studio, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 16 | T. H. Eulass, circa 1880-1910 |
| Box 3 Folder 17 | John White and Family -- Crow Maryville Studio, circa 1890-1910 |
| Box 3 Folder 18 | Dr. Kearis (Dixon College), circa 1900-1910 |
| Box 3 Folder 19 | Julius Steiglitz, 1925 |
| Box 3 Folder 20 | Julius Steiglitz, circa 1930-1935 |
| Box 3 Folder 21 | Henry Barton Robinson Beale, 1943-1944 |
| Box 3 Folder 22 | Marion Talbot, 1944 |
| Box 3 Folder 23 | Unidentified Woman -- Chiverton and Heckman Studios, circa 1880-1910 |
| Box 3 Folder 24 | Unidentified Man -- Fisher, Jefferson, and Juneau Studios, circa 1880-1910 |
| Box 3 Folder 25 | Unidentified Woman, circa 1890-1910 |
| Box 3 Folder 26 | Unidentified Family Members, circa 1890-1910 |
| Box 3 Folder 27 | Unidentified Woman -- Melvin H. Bykes Studio, Circa 1900-1920 |
| Box 3 Folder 28 | Unidentified Man, circa 1910-1930 |
| Box 3 Folder 29 | Unidentified Man in Uniform, circa 1940-1945 |
| Box 3 Folder 30 | Unidentified Women in Uniform at a Navy Event, circa 1940-1945 |
| Box 3 Folder 31 | Unidentified Group at Chamettemont, 1942 |
| Box 3 Folder 32 | Unidentified Man, circa 1950-1960 |
| Box 3 Folder 33 | Unidentified Man Admiring Icicles, circa 1960-1970 |
| Box 3 Folder 34 | Unidentified Friends at Tea, 1962 |
| Box 3 Folder 35 | Unidentified Women, circa 1964 |
| Box 3 Folder 36 | Unidentified Family, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 37 | Unidentified Individuals, undated |
| Box 3 Folder 38 | Unidentified Man -- Bacharach Studio, undated |
Subseries II: Travel |
| Box 3 Folder 39 | Worner and Architectural details abroad, circa 1930-1960 |
| Box 3 Folder 40 | Floodlit Tulip Beds (Brighton), 1951 |
| Box 3 Folder 41 | Ruby Worner and Adbel Ajistaroun abou Sehly and newspaper clipping, 1954 |
| Box 3 Folder 42 | Conference in Egypt [1/3], 1954 |
| Box 3 Folder 43 | Conference in Egypt [2/3], 1954 |
| Box 3 Folder 44 | Conference in Egypt [3/3], 1954 |
| Box 3 Folder 45 | Worner, Friends, and Coworkers in Egypt [1/2], 1954 |
| Box 4 Folder 1 | Worner, Friends, and Coworkers in Egypt [2/2], 1954 |
| Box 4 Folder 2 | Worner and Unidentified Friends in Egypt, 1954 |
| Box 4 Folder 3 | Worner and Friends Travelling, circa 1960-1975 |
Subseries III: Work |
| Box 4 Folder 4 | Southern Regional Laboratories -- Contact prints and Enlargements of Equipment and Coworkers [1/2], 1941 |
| Box 4 Folder 5 | Southern Regional Laboratories -- Contact prints and Enlargements of Equipment and Coworkers [2/2], 1941 |
| Box 4 Folder 6 | Southern Regional Laboratories Employee Pictures, circa 1940-1945 |
| Box 4 Folder 7 | Southern Regional Laboratories Picture Days, Dinner Parties, and Newspaper Clipping [1/2], 1944-1957 |
| Box 4 Folder 8 | Southern Regional Laboratories Picture Days, Dinner Parties, and Newspaper Clipping [2/2], 1944-1957 |
| Box 4 Folder 9 | Worner and Coworkers, circa 1945-1965 |
| Box 4 Folder 10 | Worner and Coworkers, 1971 |
Series VI: Awards, Certificates and Diplomas |
| Box 4 Folder 11 | Sigma XI Society -- Invitation, 1928 |
| Box 4 Folder 12 | The National Geographic Society -- Certificate of Induction, 1941 |
| Box 4 Folder 13 | American Red Cross Blood Donor Center -- Certificate of Plasma Donation, 1943 |
| Box 4 Folder 14 | The Benevolent Order of Balut Brags -- Certificate of Balut Brag, circa 1950-1960 |
| Box 4 Folder 15 | The Greater New Orleans Federation of Churches -- Certificate of Original Contributor Status, 1957 |
| Box 4 Folder 16 | Cotton's Original Old Technologists Society -- Honorary Degree of Doctorate of Cotton Technology, circa 1960-1975 |
| Box 4 Folder 17 | American Chemical Society -- Certificate of Emeritus Status, 1963 |
| Box 4 Folder 18 | American Society for Testing And Materials -- Award of Merit and Correspondence [1/2], 1964 |
| Box 4 Folder 19 | American Society for Testing And Materials -- Award of Merit and Correspondence [2/2], 1964 |
| Box 4 Folder 20 | American Society for Testing And Materials -- Certificate of Honorary Member of Committee, 1966 |
| Box 4 Folder 21 | National Wildlife Federation -- Certificate of Sponsor of Conservation Status, 1972 |
| Box 4 Folder 22 | Organization of Professional Employees of US Department of Agriculture -- Certificate, 1977 |
Series VII: Artifact |
| Box 4 Folder 23 | Glass Dish, undated |
Series VIII: Oversized |
| Box 5 Folder 1 | Kodak Photo Album, circa 1910-1950 |
| Box 6 Folder 1 | School Class Portrait -- Daguerre Studio, circa 1900-1910 |
| Box 6 Folder 2 | School Class Portrait -- Daguerre Studio, circa 1905-1915 |
| Box 6 Folder 3 | Ruby Worner -- Harris and Ewing Studio, circa 1910-1920 |
| Box 6 Folder 4 | School Class Portrait -- "Esterie, U of Chicago," circa 1920 |
| Box 6 Folder 5 | Unidentified man-- Bacharach Studio, circa 1945-1950 |
| Box 6 Folder 6 | Two Women in Mexico--colorized print, circa 1950 |
| Box 6 Folder 7 | Architectural detail--colorized print and negative, circa 1950 |
| Box 6 Folder 8 | Mason County Illinois Public School -- Certificate of Award: Neither Tardy nor Absent, 1907-1912 |
| Box 6 Folder 9 | Mason County Public Library --Diploma, 1911-1912 |
| Box 6 Folder 10 | Mason County Illinois Public School -- Certificate of Admission, 1912 |
| Box 6 Folder 11 | Shimer College -- Charter Membership on Society of Fellows -- Plaque, 1971 |
| Box 7 Folder 1 | Mason County Illinois Public School -- Certificate of Award: Neither Tardy nor Absent, 1909 |
| Box 7 Folder 2 | University of Chicago Diplomas --Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D., 1921-1925 |
| Box 8 Folder 1 | Mason County Illinois Public School -- Diploma, 1912 |