Dame, Louis P. (1886-1953). Papers, n.d, 1917-1955.

Collection

Identifier: W06-1308.50

Staff Only

Louis P. Dame Papers, n.d., 1917-1955

Scope and Contents

The collection contains essays written by Dr. Dame about Arabian life; articles about Arab affairs; photographs of Arab men and women, the Dames and the Dame’s home, private quarters of His Majesty King Ibn Saud, and a school for girls; and correspondence with the Board of Foreign Missions, E. H. Lewis, the Field Museum of Natural History, Henry Bilkert, possibly Harold Storm, the Legation of the United States of America, P. J. Van Bruggen, Paul W. Harrison, Samuel M. Zwemer, the W. K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Ranch, Wells Thoms, Arab friends, British officials, and the Second Reformed Church, Fulton, Illinois.

Dates

n.d.
1917 - 1955

Creator

Dame, Louis P., 1886-1953 (Person)

Biography

Dr. Dame was born December 16, 1886, in the Netherlands, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dame. He attended Chicago schools and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and Lewis Institute. He married the former Elizabeth Purdie in Chicago, September 18, 1918. He was a veteran of World War I, serving in Puerto Rico. Following service in World War I, he was connected with the Arabian missions, from May 1918 to November 1936. He conducted a clinic at Riaah, and won the goodwill of Bin Saud, which continued for many years. The greater part of his time was spent in Bahrain as doctor in charge of the Mason Memorial Hospital. When they returned to the United States, Dr. Dame and his wife settled in Rockford, Illinois, where he practiced medicine for 11 years.

Dr. Louis P. Dame died on July 2, 1953.

Elizabeth (Purdie) Dame was born in Plano, Illinois, on September 11, 1889. She graduated in 1908 from Chicago Normal College. She married Louis Paul Dame on September 18, 1918. She and Dr. Dame were associates with the Arabian Mission from 1918 to 1936. Mrs. Dame re-established a Girls’ School in 1922.

Upon returning to the U.S., they settled in Rockford, Illinois. She and Dr. Dame continued their interest in the Arabian Mission and often entertained returning colleagues at their home.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Purdie) Dame died on August 21, 1968.

Extent

3.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arabic

Dutch; Flemish

Additional Description

Abstract

Dr. Louis P. Dame was a native of the Netherlands. He attended Chicago schools and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and Lewis Institute. He married the former Elizabeth Purdie, a 1908 graduate of the Chicago Normal College. He was a veteran of World War I, serving in Puerto Rico. The Dames served as missionaries with the Arabian missions from May 1918 to November 1936, where Louis conducted a clinic at Riaah and won the goodwill of King of Saudi Arabia Ibn Saud. The greater part of his time was spent in Bahrain as the doctor in charge of the Mason Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Dame re-established a Girls’ School in 1922. After leaving the missionary field, Dr. Dame and his wife settled in Rockford, Illinois, where he practiced medicine for 11 years. The collection contains essays written by Dr. Dame about Arabian life; newspaper and magazine articles about Arab affairs; photographs of Arab men and women, the Dames and the Dame’s home, private quarters of His Majesty King Ibn Saud, and a school for girls; and correspondence with the Board of Foreign Missions, E. H. Lewis, the Field Museum of Natural History, Henry Bilkert, possibly Harold Storm, the Legation of the United States of America, P. J. Van Bruggen, Paul W. Harrison, Samuel M. Zwemer, the W. K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Ranch, Wells Thoms, Arab friends, British officials, and the Second Reformed Church, Fulton, Illinois.