The Matchette Papers relate mainly to Matchette's scientific interests and the development and propagation of his Absolute-Relative Theory, and similar philosophical theories. The collection includes correspondence, handwritten and typewritten notes by Matchette, book manuscripts, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, reports and papers, speeches, and miscellaneous materials. Although the dates of the papers range from 1893 to 1958, the majority span the years 1931 through 1942, when Matchette was most intensively involved in developing his Absolute-Relative Theory. The collection is divided into two subject files--Matchette's Personal Subject File and the Matchette Foundation's Subject File, maintaining the originator's arrangement and subject headings as closely as possible.
The Personal Subject File is the file Matchette kept for reference. It demonstrates his various interests in science generally and the different aspects and developments of his theory. Matchette's scientific interests were many and varied--Einstein's theories, magnetic attraction, nutrition, and so on. Many of these subjects were applied to the Absolute-Relative Theory in an effort to confirm or enhance it. Others have no direct connection to his theory, and simply indicate Matchette's interest in a given area. Such subject headings as Virtue, Ethics, Zero-Atom Unit, etc., may refer to the different aspects and basic assumptions of the Absolute-Relative Theory, or to philosophy in general.
About 1934, Matchette designated his notes on certain subjects, which related to the Absolute-Relative Theory, as his “subject papers.” All the handwritten notes in these subject areas were typed, arranged in chronological order, and prefaced with an index. These “subject papers” remain in the regular alphabetical file; however, note is made in both the Contents List of this finding aid and on the folder heading if the papers in a given folder are part of the “subject papers.”
Beginning in 1935, Matchette hired various philosophers, scientists, and other experts to assist him in developing his theory. Many of these people also served as ghost writers for Matchette's publications concerning the Absolute-Relative Theory. Matchette's philosophical, as well as budgetary, dealings with them are to be found in the Personal Subject File.
The file is arranged in a single alphabetical sequence. Folder titles may be a person's name or a subject heading, and the type of material or information within the folder is indicated on the Contents List below.
The Franklin J. Matchette Foundation was established in 1943 after Matchette's death. Its purpose was to further propagate the Absolute-Relative Theory as well as to provide financial support for the development and publication of other similar philosophies. The Matchette Foundation's Subject File has material dealing with the organization of the Foundation, the writing and attempted publication of a biography of Matchette, and the propagation and support of the Absolute-Relative Theory and other theories. The arrangement of the Matchette Foundation's Subject File is a single alphabetical file similar to the Personal Subject File.
