- Collection Overview
- Collection Description & Creator Information
- Access & Use
- Collection History
- Find Related Materials
Series 2: Aaron Burr, Sr. Records, 1753-1999
Collection Overview
Collection Description & Creator Information
- Scope and Contents
While Jonathan Dickinson bears the distinction of serving as Princeton University's first president, Aaron Burr played a central part in organizing the College after its initial establishment and overseeing its move to Princeton in 1756. Burr was born in Fairfield, Connecticut in c. 1715/1716 and graduated at the head of his Yale College class in 1735. From there he moved to Newark, New Jersey to head both the Presbyterian church and a school in classics. Burr, along with Dickinson and five others, established the College of New Jersey in 1746. In 1748 Burr was named president of the college, though he had filled this office unofficially since Dickinson's death in 1747. During Burr's ten years of service he increased enrollment, raised much-needed funds, presided over the erection of Nassau Hall, and instructed the first classes of students to graduate from the College of New Jersey.
This series is arranged topically and consists of textual material relating to Burr, his career, family, and legacy. Burr's early life is chronicled in a biographical folder, while another folder documents his tenure as president. Genealogical information about family members such as Aaron Burr, Jr. and Esther Edwards Burr is included in this series. A folder containing information collected post mortem discusses his death and burial as well as monuments, books, statues, and celebrations in his honor. This series also contains a paper and microfilm copy of Burr's account book during his latter years as president, as well as index cards relating to this book. There are numerous images of Burr, and a few of his wife, Esther Edwards Burr.
- Arrangement
No arrangement action taken or arrangement information not recorded at the time of processing.
Collection History
- Appraisal
No information on appraisal is available.
- Sponsorship:
These papers were processed with the generous support of former Princeton University President Harold T. Shapiro, Charles Brothman '51, and the John Foster Dulles and Janet Avery Dulles Fund.
- Processing Information
This collection was processed by Carol V. Burke and Stacey C. Peeples in 2002. Finding aid written by Carol V. Burke and Stacey C. Peeples in 2002.
Title of collection changed in 2024 to reflect the fact that this is a collection about the Office of the President, not "Office of the President Records."
Access & Use
- Conditions Governing Access
Materials generated by the office of the president are closed for 30 years from the date of their creation. Some records relating to personnel or students are closed for longer periods of time.
- Conditions Governing Use
Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.
For instances beyond Fair Use where the copyright is not held by the University, while permission from the Library is not required, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.
- Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
- Credit this material:
Series 2: Aaron Burr, Sr. Records; Princeton University Library Collection of Office of the President Records : Jonathan Dickinson to Harold W. Dodds, AC117, Princeton University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library
- Location:
-
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript LibrarySeeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library65 Olden StreetPrinceton, NJ 08540, USA
- Storage Note:
- Mudd Manuscript Library (mudd): Boxes 1, 1
Find More
- Other Finding Aids
Finding Aids for Princeton University Office of the President Records:
Office of the President Records: Robert F. Goheen Subgroup, 1924-1988 (bulk 1957-1972): Finding Aid.
Office of the President Records: William G. Bowen Subgroup, 1940-1998 (bulk 1972-1987): Finding Aid.
Office of the President Records: Harold Shapiro Subgroup, 1961-2001 (bulk 1987-2001): Finding Aid.
- Names:
- Presbyterian church in the U.S.A.
Princeton University
Princeton University Administration.
Bowen, William G.
Burr, Aaron (1716-1757)
Carnahan, James (1775-1859)
Davies, Samuel (1723-1761)
Dickinson, Jonathan (1688-1747)
Dodds, Harold W. (Harold Willis) (1889-1980)
Duffield, Edward D. (Edward Dickinson) (1871-1938)
Edwards, Jonathan (1703-1758)
Finley, Samuel (1715-1766)
Fox, Arthur E. (Arthur Eugene) (1891-1957)
Gemmell, Edgar M. (Edgar Mills) (1911-1990)
Goheen, Robert F. (Robert Francis) (1919-2008)
Green, Ashbel (1762-1848)
Hibben, John Grier (1861-1933)
Maclean, John (1800-1886)
McCosh, James (1811-1894)
Patton, Francis L. (Francis Landey) (1843-1932)
Shapiro, Harold T. (1935)
Smith, Samuel Stanhope (1750-1819)
Wilson, Woodrow (1856-1924)
Witherspoon, John (1723-1794)