Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 21/7/150
Tom Sutherland (1931-     )
Format, Dates


Descriptive summary

creator: Sutherland, Tom (1931-    )
title: Collection
dates: 1985-2004, undated
extent: 0.21 linear feet (1 half-document box)
collection number: RS 21/7/150
repository: University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access: Open for research
publication rights: Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation: Tom Sutherland Collection, RS 21/7/150, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Abstract

Tom Sutherland, an Iowa State University graduate, was a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. He was serving as Dean of Agriculture at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, when he was kidnapped on June 9, 1985, and held in captivity for over six years. The collection contains newspaper articles covering his kidnapping, captivity, and release in 1991, and activities after his release.

 

Biographical note

Thomas M. Sutherland was born in Falkirk, Scotland, on May 3, 1931. He received his B.Sc. in agriculture from Glasgow University and received both his M.S. degree (1956) in animal science and Ph.D. (1959) from Iowa State College (University). Sutherland taught animal science at Colorado State University for twenty-six years and then in 1983 accepted a position as Dean of Agriculture at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. While serving as dean, Sutherland was kidnapped by members of the Islamic Jihad on June 9, 1985. Released on November 18, 1991, Sutherland was held hostage for 2,253 days. Among the other Westerners held captive during this period, Sutherland's tenure was the second-longest, after journalist Terry Anderson. Sutherland later published a book with his wife Jean, At Your Own Risk, about his experiences.

Sutherland married Jean Murray with whom he had two children.

 

Collection description

This collection (1985-2004, undated) contains news clippings and slides. The collection documents Thomas Sutherland’s kidnapping, captivity, release, and post-kidnapping activities. There are fifteen undated color slides of a speaking event, possibly at Iowa State University.

 

Related materials

Related collections in the Special Collections Department include:

  • Terry Anderson Papers, MS 272
  • Iowa State University, Office of University Relations, Terry Anderson and Thomas Sutherland Collection, RS 5/2/1/2
  • At Your Own Risk, by Tom and Jean Sutherland (call number DS87.2.S87 A3 1996)
  •  

    Organization

    The collection is organized chronologically.

     

    Container list

    Box

    Folder

    Title

    Dates

    1

    1

    Newspaper Articles

    1985-1989, undated

    1

    2

    Newspaper Articles

    1990-1998

    1

    3

    Newspaper Articles

    1991

    1

    4

    Newspaper Articles

    2001-2004

    1

    5

    Color Slides (15)

    undated