Guide to the Earl Dotter collection of United Mine Workers of America 1972-1973 election campaign literature and photographs , 1972-1976

Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2010

Collection Overview

Title:	Earl Dotter collection of United Mine Workers of America 1972-1973 election campaign literature and photographs
Date range:	1972-1976
Creator:	Dotter, Earl
Extent:	0.2 linear feet
Abstract:	Photojournalist Earl Dotter joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in 1968 and was assigned to the Cumberland Plateau Region of Tennessee, where he documented the culture and struggles of local families. After his VISTA assignment concluded, he remained in the area to photograph the rank-and-file movement to reform the United Mine Workers Union and the campaign to unseat union president Tony Boyle, called "Miners for Democracy" -- the subject of this collection, which includes photographs, Miller-Trobovich-Patrick campaign literature, the 1973 United Mine Workers Officer’s Report, and the June 15-July 15, 1976 issue of the United Mine Workers Journal.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 2010.016

Scope & content

This collection focuses on the rank-and-file movement to reform the United Mine Workers Union and the election of Arnold Miller as president. It contains many of Dotter’s photographs, Miller-Trobovich-Patrick campaign literature, the 1973 United Mine Workers Officer’s Report, and the June 15-July 15, 1976 issue of the United Mine Workers Journal.

Access Points

Subject Topics

• Coal mines and mining--United States
• Coal miners--Labor unions--Pennsylvania--History

Subject Topics

• Government, Politics, and Law

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into five series based on format and content.

• Series 1: Photographs
• Series 2: flyers from Arnold Miller's campaign for union president
• Series 3: flyers from Harry Patrick's campaign for union president
• Series 4: The 1973 Officer's Report to the United Mine Workers of America
• Series 5: United Mine Workers Journal: Proud to Be a Miner

Biographical note

“Earl Dotter began his photographic career after completing his studies at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. In 1968 he joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and was assigned to the Cumberland Plateau Region of Tennessee. Over time, he was welcomed into the homes of coal mining families. He came to know and respect their culture and struggles -- a relationship that continues to this day. After his VISTA assignment concluded, he remained in the area to photograph the rank-and-file movement to reform the United Mine Workers Union, then under the corrupt leadership of Tony Boyle. In 1972 he was invited to join the staff of the reformers' newspaper, The Miner's Voice, and subsequently became the photographer for the campaign to unseat Boyle, called "Miners for Democracy." When the election effort proved successful, Dotter went to work for the UMWA Journal, where he remained until 1977. “The emphasis of the Journal was on improving miners' health and safety and the quality of life in their communities. His position enabled him to record the intimate aspects of daily life -- the dangers of mining underground, the hardships of living on abused land, and also the joys, dignity and culture that sustained coalmine families. It became a decade of intense creative development for him, during which he learned not just what to photograph, but how to create an image that would impact the viewer both visually and emotionally.” Excerpted from www.earldotter.com.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Earl Dotter collection of United Mine Workers of America 1972-1973 election campaign literature and photographs, Ms. 2010.016, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Gift of Earl Dotter on 3 November 2009
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Gaelen Adam.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Gaelen Adam 2010 April 14
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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