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Office of the President Records : Jonathan Dickinson to Harold W. Dodds Subgroup 1746-1999 (mostly 1830-1869)
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Download PDF Subseries 12B: Letterpress Books
16 boxes
This collection is stored at Mudd Manuscript Library.
Requests will be delivered to Princeton University Archives, MUDD Reading Room .
Collection Creator: Princeton University. Office of the President..
Dates: 1889-1902.
Dates: Mostly 1889-1902.
Extent: 16 boxes
Languages: English.
Access Restrictions
Materials generated by the office of the president are closed for 40 years from the date of their creation. Some records relating to personnel or students are closed for longer periods of time.
Description
Subseries 12B: Letterpress Books, 1889-1902 [bulk: 1889-1902], comprises the greater part of the Patton records and contains 16 letterpress books whose contents provide a running record of Patton's presidential duties. Most were either written or dictated by Patton, but some are from Registrar Henry N. Van Dyke and his secretary and son, George Patton. Each volume begins with an alphabetical listing of the addressees, though the letters are ordered chronologically. A card catalog in the lobby of the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library contains an alphabetical listing of addressees. The subject of the letters vary, but most deal with academic issues, including college entrance, scholarships, the curriculum, the affordability of tuition, degree requirements, and faculty applications. Other topics include preaching and speaking engagements, religious and academic references, and student employment and discipline. In perusing his correspondence, Patton's lack of administrative skills becomes increasingly apparent. He often states what he cannot do or what he is not aware of rather than offering alternatives or solutions to the problems posed to him. Many letters are declinations to attend events or write articles. Due to the varying force with which letters were pressed, some are pale and others are smudged. Approximately half of the letters are difficult to read. Later volumes, containing a greater number of typed letters, tend to be more legible.
Preferred Citation
Subseries 12B: Letterpress Books; 1889-1902 (mostly 1889-1902); Office of the President Records : Jonathan Dickinson to Harold W. Dodds Subgroup, Princeton University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.