Ruth J. Snowdon Papers

Ruth Snowdon was born January 6, 1896 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Alba Boardman Johnson (1858-1935) and Elizabeth Thomas Reeves (1862-1908). Ruth’s father, born in Pittsburgh, was president of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, president of the Pennsylvania State Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and a trustee of Jefferson Medical College and Hospital. He was also a collector of autograph letters, prints, photographs and drawings of American presidents. Ruth graduated from Vassar College in 1918. In 1948 she became a research associate in biophysics at the University of Pittsburgh and was a charter member of the Parapsychological Association. Ruth was married to Charles Leidy Snowdon, Jr. (1892-1984) in 1918. Charles was the president of the Reliance Steel Casting Company in Pittsburgh. Ruth developed an avid interest in the history, anthropology, and archaeology of Central and South America, with particular emphasis on Maya civilization. She traveled to archaeological sites in the Yucatan and stayed informed of excavations and discoveries through research and correspondence with historians and archaeologists in the field. Ruth was particularly interested in the archaeological site of Tikal in Guatemala, generously contributing to the Tikal Project conducted by the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania. The project involved the restoration of a Maya pyramid at Uaxactun, initially referred to as “E-VII sub.” The Field Director of the Tikal Project, Edwin M. Shook, considered naming the pyramid the “Snowdon Pyramid,” which Ruth declined. The restoration of the temple, ultimately named the “Pyramid of the Masks,” was completed in 1974. On a steamer trip to the Yucatan in 1936, Ruth met Harvey E. Molé of the New Jersey Historical Society. At the time, it was unknown where the renowned travel writer John Lloyd Stephens was buried, and in 1941 Ruth and Harvey began an extensive search for his grave. They discovered Stephens’ remains at the New York Marble Cemetery, in an unmarked vault with the Pell family. Ruth, Harvey and Stephens’ biographer Victor W. von Hagen established a committee in January of 1947 to raise funds for a plaque to be commissioned in memory of Stephens. The dedication of the plaque took place on October 9, 1947.

Note written by