Anderson was a sociologist, University professor, and historian. The collection is personal including pictures of his family, Anderson receiving honorary degrees.

Anderson served in World War I, and participated in the Meuse River–Argonne Forest campaign in France in the fall of 1918. A large set in this collection shows graves of World War I soldiers of the 145th Field Artillery, who fell during that campaign. Several highlighted soldiers had their roots in Utah. At least one of these soldiers, a Utahn named Roland Van Twelves (d. Oct. 14, 1918) was actually buried at Provo, Utah, so the cross-shaped memorial may be more symbolic than an actual grave marker. The location is the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery near Montfaucon, France.