Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology | Vol. 33, No. 1 (2013) | pp. 1–7 IN MEMORIAM William Michael Mathes IRIS ENGSTRAND Professor of History, University of San Diego ichael mathes, well known as an honored by the government of Mexico in 1985 with the Maward-winning historian and professor of Order of the Aztec Eagle and by the government of history, was a many-faceted individual with a variety Spain with the Order of Isabel the Catholic in 2005— of talents that endeared him to legions of admirers. both for his efforts as a foreigner in promoting the An expert in all things Mexican and a specialist in the history of those countries. history of Baja California, Mike was truly bicultural and Mike grew up in the Hancock area of Los Angeles, flawlessly bilingual.T hose who interacted with him, even attending Harvard School for Boys (now Harvard- slightly, never forgot his willingness to help, his valuable Westlake). As a child, he spent time living on a ranch in suggestions, his ability as a teacher, his talent as a tour Baja California near the ruins of a Dominican mission guide, and his success as a writer of history. Mike was that had piqued his interest in learning about a remote 1 2 Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology | Vol. 33, No. 1 (2013) area of the peninsula. Always a student of history, he mission trail spanning Baja and Alta California. His work received his B.A. from Loyola Marymount University, in these areas continues to be carried out by those who his M.A. from the University of Southern California, and followed his lead. his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. Mike spent My own life paralleled Mike’s because we became the majority of his career as a professor of history at the friends as fellow graduate students at the University University of San Francisco, and most of his summers of Southern California. Mike was working during the traveling to Spain and Mexico to work in the Archivo day as a bailiff in the Federal Court of Los Angeles General de Indias (Seville), the Museo Naval (Madrid), where his father, William Carey Mathes, was a well- the Archivo General de la Nación (Mexico City), and the respected judge. My father, a lawyer, knew Judge Mathes archives of La Paz in Baja California. from a number of cases he had argued in his court, so In addition to his role as professor and author, Mike and I started out with a common interest in the Mike served as the director of the Mexican collection at law—but not as prospective lawyers. We both received the Sutro Library in San Francisco, and director of the Del Amo Foundation Fellowships to write our doctoral Biblioteca Mathes at El Colegio de Jalisco in Zapopan, dissertations in Spain, using original documents. We Guadalajara, Mexico, which houses a collection of rare later both received Fulbright Fellowships to continue books on the history of Mexico. In 1995, Mike donated our studies. his library of 45,000 titles to the library named in his Before leaving Spain, we spent the summer of 1960 honor. His own writings, some of which are listed below, in Mexico City, combing the archives under the direction include dozens of books, pamphlets, articles in journals, of professor Donald Cutter, who instilled in both of us newspapers, conference proceedings, and letters to the a love and respect for original sources. Mike tried to editors in both English and Spanish publications. As a help me in speaking Spanish, but he was so fluent that tour guide, Mike was unequaled in his knowledge of Baja he usually finished my sentences. After that summer I California and his ability to make the most out of each went directly to Spain, while Mike transferred to the day (and night). He was tireless. University of New Mexico to continue with Dr. Cutter, After his retirement from the University of San who was teaching there. Mike soon joined me in Spain, Francisco, Mike led the fundraising efforts for CAREM, and we spent time helping Robert Marx figure out how a non-profit historical society based in Tecate, Baja to build and sail a replica of Columbus’s ship La Niña California. His efforts led to the construction of its that Marx used to duplicate the voyage to the “New history museum and the writing of his recent book, The World” in 1963. Land of Calafia: A Brief History of Baja California. As life continued, I returned to California and This work was added to his seven volumes written eventually began teaching at the University of San between 1961 and 1991 for the Baja California Travel Diego, while Mike joined the faculty at the University of Series published in Los Angeles by Dawson’s Book San Francisco. We remained close friends—collaborating Shop. Mike also collected numerous volumes of original on articles, traveling to Baja California, and speaking manuscripts pertaining to the Spanish period in New at conferences in San Blas, Tepic, Mexicali, Tijuana, and Spain that he edited and published in Madrid and elsewhere with Miguel Leon Portilla and other Mexican Mexico in bilingual editions. historians. I became fluent in Spanish, but no one could Mike successfully lobbied for the National Institute equal Mike in his ability to translate—with perfection— for Anthropology and History (INAH) to have offices on the spot, no matter how long someone talked in either in Mexicali so that federal actions involving Baja language. His talent was truly amazing in this area. California’s historic sites did not have to apply to the Many people who were close to Mike through INAH office in Sonora. As of 2012 he was working the years have wonderful memories of him. Since it is with INAH, CAREM, the Ministry of Tourism of Baja difficult to include them all, here is a summary: Mike was California, and the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic welcoming, competent, friendly, patient, knowledgeable, Preservation to obtain UNESCO World Heritage status helpful, funny, serious, opinionated, and—it seemed— for El Camino Real de las Californias—the Spanish always on a mission. His personal life was colorful IN MEMORIAM | William Michael Mathes | Engstrand 3 and perhaps as varied as his professional career. He 1966 The pearl hunters in the Gulf of California 1668. Los loved women, and I was fortunate to be his friend and Angeles: Dawson’s Book Shop. [First-person report by the Franciscan Juan Cavallero Carranco of an unsuccess- colleague—not his wife. Librarian Barbara Robinson, ful trip to southern and central Baja California; selection curator of the exhibit honoring Mike at the University reprinted in Mathes 1992a.] of Southern California’s Doheny Library, commented 1968 Vizcaíno and Spanish exploration in the Pacific Ocean that Mike as “author, editor, and translator of countless 1580–1630. San Francisco: California Historical Society. works, ...demonstrated that ‘history did not just begin 1969a The capture of the Santa Ana, Cabo San Lucas, Nov em ber, 1584. Los Angeles: Dawson’s Book Shop. at our southern border.’” The exhibit continues through [Documents concerning Cavendish’s seizure of the May 2013. Manila galleon.] David Rubiales, professor emeritus at Yuba College 1969b First from the Gulf to the Pacific: the diary of the in Marysville, said it very well: “Mike Mathes was a great Kino-Atondo peninsular expedition, December 14, 1684– scholar, a wonderful conversationalist, and perhaps most January 13, 1685. Los Angeles: Dawson’s Book Shop. [Exploration west of Loreto.] importantly, generous to others. I first met him in 1969 1970a Californiana II: documentos para la historia de la at USF. As my graduate advisor he encouraged me and explotación comercial de California, 1611–1679. 2 vols. guided me through my masters program, demonstrating Colección Chimalistac 29/30. José Porrúa Turanzas, patience and kindness throughout. We lost touch with Madrid. [Transcription of documents concerning the voyages of Iturbe, Cardona, Ortega, Porter y Casanate, each other for quite a while but then reconnected a and Lucenilla; selection translated in Mathes 1992a.] few years ago and that brought great pleasure to me 1970b To Save a City: The Desague of Mexico-Huehuetoca, and I hope for him as well. I am quite sure that my 1607. The Americas 26:419–438. colleagues at the Book Club of California join me in 1970c Introduction. In Navegación especulativa y práctica, by mourning his passing. Mike was an original and will be Joseph González Cabrera Bueno. Colección Chimalistac long remembered but not easily replaced, and very lucky No. 31. Madrid: José Porrúa Turanzas. 1970d Introduction. In Reparo a errores de la navegación indeed was anyone whom he counted as a friend.” Cecilia española, by P. Porter y Casanate. Madrid: José Porrúa Lopez added that “Como una forma de reconocimiento a Turanzas. su colaboración le designamos Investigador Especial.” 1971a Datos biográficos sobre el almirante de las Californias, [As a form of recognition for his collaboration, we Isidro de Atondo y Antillón. Estudios de Historia designate him Extraordinary Investigator.] Novohispana 4:105 –111. [Unsuccessful colonizer of Baja California in the 1680s.] Mike was indeed an extraordinary individual in 1971b Early California propaganda: the works of Fray the truest sense of the word. As a valued friend and Antonio de la Ascención. California Historical Quarterly remarkable scholar, he is a person not easily forgotten. 50:195 – 205. His legacy lives on in his many publications, but his 1972a Don Pedro Porter y Casanate, admiral of the South indomitable will and unique personality will live on in Sea: 1611–1662. Southern California Quarterly 54:1– 9.