Brown University World War I correspondence

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 5 Brown University World War I correspondence Box A Brown University Providence, RI Tel: hay@brown.edu Published in 2008 Brown Collection overview Title: Brown University World War I correspondence Date range: Creator: Extent: Abstract: Language of materials: Repository: Collection number: Brown University. 1.2 Linear feet Letters from Brown University alumni and students in the armed services, written to persons at the University including President William H. P. Faunce, Assistant to the President, Thomas B. Appleget, Professor James Quayle Dealey, and Dean Otis E. Randall. English

2 Page 2 of 5 Scope & content Consists primarily of letters, dating from 1917 to 1918, written by 274 Brown University students, alumni, and faculty serving in the American Expeditionary Forces or the Young Men's Christian Association during World War I. Correspondents include enlisted men, officers, chaplains, and civilians. The letters include descriptions of billets, military camps and forts in the United States and Europe, transportation, food and other rations. Other subjects include training, promotions, being wounded and subsequent recuperation, movements of batteries, conditions in France, and the attitudes of the French and Italian people about the war. Many of the men express lonliness and are anxious for letters and for news of the activities of other Brown University men. Letters were written in France, England, Germany, and Italy; as well as while individuals were in transit to Europe. In most cases there are one to three letters from each correspondent. A series of thirty-two letters dating from Oct to Dec. 1918, written by McDonald Low Edinger, Battery B, 103rd Field Artillery, give a long term view of the war as observed in France. Two letters from a YMCA chaplain, Theodore F. Cullen, describe service men's attitudes toward the YMCA staff and Woodrow Wilson's visit to Paris after the 1918 Armistice. There are a few letters describing conditions in China written by Harvey Gladding Denham, a Standard Oil employee. There are also some letters from parents who were reporting on their sons' activities Arrangement These letters are arranged alphabetically by last name of student. Historical Note In 1917 the university established the Brown War Records Bureau, whose intention was to "collect and preserve a record of all Brown men who are serving in the present war". Brown faculty, students and alumni who were in the military were asked to fill out a small card called "Are you in the war?" and to send original letters, clippings or photographs which "have any bearing on the service of Brown men in the war." This collection is partly a result of that effort.

3 Page 3 of 5 Access & use Access to the collection: Use of materials: Preferred citation: There are no restrictions on access. Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Brown University Library. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them. Brown University World War I correspondence Brown University World War I correspondence,, Contact information: Administrative information About the collection Box A Brown University Providence, RI Tel: hay@brown.edu Aquisition: This collection was transferred to the by the Brown Alumni Office. About the finding aid Author: Encoding: Finding aid prepared by Martha Mitchell This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit Descriptive rules:

4 Page 4 of 5 Search terms Names: Brown University -- Alumni and alumnae -- Correspondence Brown University -- Faculty -- Correspondence Brown University -- History -- World War, Brown University--Students--Correspondence United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces -- Anecdotes Subjects: Types of materials: World War, Personal narratives, American Letters (correspondence) Postcards

5 Page 5 of 5 Inventory