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Collection Number: 02427

Collection Title: R. D. W. Connor Papers, 1890-1950.

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.


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Size 12.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 11200 items)
Abstract Educator, historian, secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, University of North Carolina professor, first archivist of the United States, and author of numerous books and articles on North Carolina history. The R. D. W. Connor papers document most aspects of Connor's career. The papers include correspondence and reminiscences relating to his involvement with the National Archives, the North Carolina Historical Commission, and the North Carolina Department of Archives and History; speeches and writings; materials from various organizations with which he was connected, including the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library; papers gathered for a documentary history of the University of North Carolina on the occasion of the 1945 sesquicentennial celebration; and clippings, invitations, programs, and other personal items. There is also information concerning the Connor family, especially in correspondence between Connor and his father, Henry Groves Connor, and two brothers, George Whitfield and Henry Groves Connor, Jr.
Creator Connor, R. D. W. (Robert Digges Wimberly), 1878-1950.
Curatorial Unit University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.
Language English
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Restrictions to Access
No restrictions. Open for research.
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the R. D. W. Connor Papers #2427, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Acquisitions Information
Received from R. D. W. Connor, of Chapel Hill, N.C., in 1946; Mrs. R. D. W. Connor, of Chapel Hill, in 1950; and Louis Round Wilson of Chapel Hill, in May 1953.
Sensitive Materials Statement
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.
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Processed by: Linda McCurdy, June 1987

Encoded by: ByteManagers Inc., 2008

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subject Headings

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Biographical Information

Robert Digges Wimberly Connor (26 September 1878 - 25 February 1950) was born in Wilson, North Carolina, one of twelve children of Henry Groves Connor (1852 - 1924) and Katherine Whitfield Connor (d. 1924). His father was a North Carolina state senator, a judge of the state Superior Court, an associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, and, finally, a federal judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Among Robert D. W. Connor's nine siblings who lived to maturity were two brothers with whom he kept in touch through correspondence: his brother George W. Connor was a lawyer, representative in the state legislature, and a state Superior and Supreme Court judge; his brother Henry Groves Connor, Jr., ("Tobe") was also a lawyer and state representative. The remaining brothers and sisters were David Connor, Kate Connor Murray, Mary Groves Connor MacNair, Margaret C. Simpson, Fred Connor, and Louis Connor.

Educated in the Wilson public schools, Connor attended the University of North Carolina, where he was active in student publications. He was graduated in 1899 with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. His ambition was to attend Johns Hopkins University to study history, but a shortage of funds led him to take a job teaching English in the Winston-Salem public schools, 1899-1901. There he met fellow-teacher Sadie Hanes (1879-1951), daughter of Philip Hanes (d. 1903) and Sallie C. Booe Hanes (d. 1927) of Winston and Mocksville.

In 1902, Connor became superintendent of the Oxford Graded Schools and then principal of Wilmington High School. He and Sadie Hanes married on 23 December 1902. During this time, Connor began writing historical sketches for various North Carolina newspapers. In 1904, he left Wilmington for Raleigh to become head of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Educational Campaign Committee. At the same time (1903-1907), he was serving as the unpaid secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, leading a movement to preserve North Carolina's historical papers and establish a state archives. By 1907, due in part to his public campaign, Connor received a $5000 appropriation and a table in the lobby of the Senate chamber for an office. He began assembling and organizing an archives, and this became his full-time job, 1907-1920. During that time, he managed to get a more than five-fold increase in the operating budget, established the archives in a new building, secured 312 private collections, preserved the old records of the executive and legislative branches of the government, created a central depository for the historic official records of forty-seven counties, and established a Hall of History for the state. He was also secretary of the North Carolina Teachers' Assembly, 1906-1912.

In 1912, Connor was president of the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association and continued as secretary of the association, 1913-1920. Connor became a trustee of the University of North Carolina in 1913 and was secretary of the Board of Trustees, 1914-1920. He served an additional function for his alma mater, 1917-1921, as president of the General Alumni Association. He also served on the National Board for Historical Service in 1917.

During his time as secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, Connor was actively publishing his writing on North Carolina history, which included both textbooks for public schools and monographs. For his book on Cornelius Harnett, he won the Patterson Memorial Cup in 1911.

Connor kept close ties with the University of North Carolina and was in touch with other trustees, faculty, and the administration. Connor was active in the negotiations that resulted in Edward Kidder Graham replacing Francis Preston Venable as president in 1913; and when Graham suddenly died in 1918, Connor's name was put forward as a possible successor. However, the head of the faculty, Harry Woodburn Chase, was appointed. From that time on, Connor, at the urging of supporters like J. G. de Roulhac Hamilton (University of North Carolina professor of history), began to plan to join the history faculty at the university. In 1920, he took a leave of absence from the North Carolina Historical Commission to study history at Columbia University under William A. Dunning. He resigned from the Board of Trustees to accept an appointment in 1921 as Kenan Professor of History and Government at the University of North Carolina. He held this position until 1934, with brief sojourns to England in 1922; the University of Chicago summer school in 1928, 1929, and 1931; England again in 1931-1932; the University of Colorado summer school in 1933; and the University of West Virginia in the summer of 1934.

In 1929, Connor published his major work, North Carolina; Rebuilding an Ancient Commonwealth, 1584-1925. When the presidency of the University of North Carolina became vacant in 1930, Connor was again considered for the job, which this time went to Frank Porter Graham. Connor briefly considered the presidency of Rutgers in 1931 but stayed at University of North Carolina when Graham offered him a fifty-percent increase in salary and a year of paid leave to do research on North Carolina historical sources in England.

In 1934, Connor did leave the university to become the first archivist of the United States. Support from the American Historical Association and J. Franklin Jameson (head of the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress and a long-time advocate of a national archives), along with his strong Democratic credentials, won him the appointment from Franklin D. Roosevelt. While archivist, Connor also helped Roosevelt set up the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, New York.

Connor resigned as archivist in 1941 to return to the University of North Carolina as Burton Craige Professor of Jurisprudence and History, a position he held until retirement in 1949. In 1942 and 1943, he was president of the Society of American Archivists and chairman of the North Carolina Historical Commission. The Commission became the Department of Archives and History in 1943, with Connor serving on its executive board until his death. As chairman of the board, Connor oversaw the publication of a history of the Commission in 1943. He also worked on a documentary history of the University of North Carolina, the first two volumes of which were published posthumously in 1953.

Connor's health began to decline in the 1940s. His convalescence from an April 1945 operation for stomach ulcers was slow. However, he continued to teach until 1948 and worked on his documentary history full-time in 1949. In February 1950, he died in Watts Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.

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The R. D. W. Connor papers document most aspects of Connor's career as a public school educator, state archivist, university professor, and the first archivist of the United States. There is information concerning the Connor family, especially in correspondence between Connor and his father and two brothers George and Henry Groves Connor, Jr. Connor's papers include correspondence, reminiscences focused on his career as archivist, speeches and writings, materials from various organizations he worked with, papers gathered for a documentary history of the University of North Carolina, clippings, invitations and programs, and other personal items. There are only a few pictures.

Connor's years in Washington, D. C., as archivist (1934-1941) produced a large amount of correspondence, as well as much of the material in his reminiscences, speeches, and news clippings. There is much information about the forces brought to bear on him as he began his work for the Archives, but there is relatively little documentation of how he carried out the job of gathering and organizing the records of the United States or setting up the administration of the Archives. Connor's participation, while archivist, in planning the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library is well documented in the correspondence, reminiscences, and organization materials.

Materials on his career with the North Carolina State Archives begin with correspondence when he was secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission and continue with letters when he was chairman of the board of the Department of Archives and History. There are also organization materials and a reminiscence (in the speeches and writings series) that pertain to Connor's association with the State Archives.

The documentary history material consists of typescripts gathered from various sources as part of the University of North Carolina's 1945 sesquicentennial celebration. The papers do not cover the same years as the ones in Connor's posthumously published two-volume documentary history of the university. The books begin with 1776, but the papers begin with 1791 and go beyond the books' final date of 1799.

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Contents list

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 1. General Correspondence, 1890-1950.

About 9500 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

SUPPLEMENTARY NAME INDEX

Dates indicate where in Series 1 the letters of selected individuals are found (see folder lists following descriptions), with the number in parentheses showing how many letters are present for a particular time period.

Andrews, Charles McLean, 1863-1943: 1916 June (3); 1917 April-Nov. (5); 1919 June-Dec. (4); 1920 Jan.-Sept. (14); 1921 Jan., March, April, Oct., Nov. (6); 1922 March, May, Dec. (3); 1923 May, Sept. (2); 1925 Jan., Feb. (3); 1926 Jan, Feb., Dec. (3); 1927 Sept., Oct. (2); 1929 Nov. (1); 1930 Jan., Oct. (2); 1934 Oct. (1); 1935 Aug. (1); 1936 July (1); 1937 March, Dec. (2); 1939 Jan., June (2); 1940 May, Sept. (2); 1941 Sept. (1); 1943 March (1)

Ashe, Samuel A'Court, 1840-1938: 1906 Nov. (1); 1907 Jan.-May (3); 1908 Sept.-Oct. (2); 1909 (8); 1910 Oct.-Nov. (2); 1911 Oct. (1); 1912 Mar. (3); 1914 June (1); 1915 Nov. (1); 1918 Mar. (1); 1920 Sept. (1); 1921 June (1); 1925 Jan.-Oct. (8); 1926 Feb.-May, Oct. (8); 1927 Jan.-July (5); 1928 Sept.-Oct. (2); 1929 March-Oct. (9); 1930 Jan.-June (6); 1931 Aug. (1); 1934 Feb., March, Oct., Nov. (5); 1935 Feb.-April (4); 1936 May (3); Undated

Bailey, Josiah, 1873-1946: scattered, 1930-1945 (circa 10)

Beale, Howard K. (Howard Kennedy): 1899-1959

Branson, Eugene Cuningham, 1861-1933: scattered, 1920s

Buck, Solon Justus, 1884-1962: 1934 July, Aug., Oct. (4); 1936 Nov. (1); 1938 July, Aug. (3); 1940 March (1); 1941 Nov., Dec. (2); 1942 Jan.-May (8); 1943 Jan.-March, May, July, Aug., Dec. (13); 1944 March (1); 1945 Feb., May, Aug. (3); 1946 Feb., April, May (5); 1947 Jan, March (3); 1948 Jan, May (2); 1949 Nov.(1)

Chase, Harry Woodburn, 1883-1955: 1919 Feb.-Mar. (2); 1920 Sept.-Dec.(10); 1921 Jan.-March, June, Aug. (9); 1922 July (1); 1923 Feb., March (2); 1924 Aug. (1); 1925 Oct. (1); 1926 Oct. (2); 1927 May (1); 1929 Dec. (1); 1930 March, July (2); 1931 June (1); 1934 Oct. (1); 1935 Feb.(1); Undated (6)

Coon, Charles Lee, 1868-1927: 1906-09, scattered; 1921 Nov. (1); 1924 April (1)

Crittenden, Charles Christopher, 1902-1969: scattered throughout, especially 1920s, 1940s

Daniels, Josephus, 1862-1948: 1909 July (1); 1913 May-June (2); 1914 Nov. (1); 1917 Aug.(1); 1918 Jan.(1); 1920 June (1); 1925 May, Sept., Oct. (4); 1927 May (1); 1928 Nov. (1); 1929 Feb., March, June (7); 1930 June (2); 1931 Jan., April, June (3); 1932 Feb., Sept. (2); 1933 March (1); 1934 May, July, Oct. (4); 1935 Jan., April (2); 1936 July (1); 1937 June (1); 1938 May (1); 1939 April, June, Aug., Dec. (4); 1941 July, Aug. (2); 1947 Jan., April-June, Sept., Dec. (8); Undated (1)

Dodd, William Edward, 1869-1940: 1911 Oct. (1); 1927 June, July, Nov. (5); 1929 March, April (2); 1930 March, May, July, Aug. (4); 1932 Feb. (1); 1934 April, July, Oct. (4); 1935 Feb. (1); 1936 May, July (3); 1937 June, July, Oct. (3); 1938 Sept. (1); 1939 April, Dec. (4)

Eaton, Clement, 1898-: 1945 April, May (2); 1947 June (1); 1948 Jan., Feb., July (3)

Ford, Worthington Chauncey, 1858-1941: 1907 June-Sept. (4); 1908 Nov. (1); 1909 Jan.-July (4); 1912 Jan. (2); 1913 Mar. (1); 1918 Aug. (1); 1922 May (1); 1924 Jan. (2); 1938 Jan, March (2)

Fries, Adelaide L. (Adelaide Lisetta), 1871-1949: scattered, 1920s, 1940s

Gardner, Oliver Max, 1882-1947: 1919 Sept., Dec. (2); 1920 Jan.-Mar., July (9); 1945 Dec. (1); 1946 Dec. (1)

Graham, Edward Kidder, 1876-1918: 1898 Sept., Oct. (2); 1900 June (1); 1901 Mar., Nov. (2); 1907 Feb., Oct., Nov., [1907] (4); 1908 June, Aug. (2); 1909 Mar., end (8); 1910 May-June (2); 1911 Jan., July, Aug., Nov., Dec. (6); 1912 Feb., May, Dec. (4); 1913 Mar., Oct., Nov. (3); 1914 Feb.-July, Dec. (8); 1915 Jan.-May, Oct.-Nov. (11); 1916 Mar., Nov. (2)

Graham, Frank Porter, 1886-1972: 1915 Mar. (1); 1930 June, Oct. (2); 1931 April, July, Aug. (3); 1932 Jan. (1); 1934 Jan., June, July, Nov., Dec. (9); 1935 Jan., March, Nov. (3); 1936 March, June, Aug. (3); 1937 Feb., March (2); 1938 Oct., Nov. (2); 1939 Sept. (1); 1940 July, Oct., Nov. (3); 1941 Jan., March, June, July-Sept. (7); 1942 Feb., [1942] (2); 1943 Aug., Nov. (2); 1949 Feb. (1); 1950 Jan. (1)

Green, Fletcher Melvin, 1895-1978: scattered, 1930s, 1940s

Hamilton, Joseph Gregoire de Roulhac, 1878-1961: 1908-1919 (about 10, scattered); 1920 Feb.-Mar., Aug.-Dec. (12); 1921 Feb., April, May (3); 1928 April, June, July Aug. (5); 1929 July (1); 1934 June, July, Dec. (5); 1935 Jan., March, Sept. (3); 1936 April, May, Oct., Dec. (5); 1937 Jan., May, July (3); 1938 May, Nov., Dec. (3); 1939 Jan., April, Oct.(3); 1940 Feb., Dec. (3); 1941 Aug. (1); 1942 June, July (2); 1944 Jan., Feb., June, Sept. (5); 1945 April (2); 1946 April, June (2); 1947 June (1); 1948 Aug. (1); 1949 Oct. (1); Undated (1)

Harding, Harry Patrick, b. 1847: 1899-1917 scattered

Henderson, Archibald, 1877-1963: 1909 May (1); 1910 Aug., Nov. (2); 1911 Jan.-Oct. (11); 1912 Jan.-Feb., May, Sept., Nov. (6); 1913 Aug. (1); 1917 Sept.-Oct. (3); 1920 April, June, Sept., Dec. (6); 1921 Jan., June (2); 1939 April, May (2); 1940 Aug. (1); 1942 May (1); 1946 July, Aug. (3); 1948 Feb., Dec. (2); 1949 July (1)

Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972: 1935 Feb., March, July (3)

House, Robert Burton, 1892-: scattered, esp. 1920s, 1940s

Hull, Cordell, 1871-1955: 1936 May (1); 1937 May, Nov. (2); 1940 March (1)

Hunt, Gaillard, 1862-1924: 1909 (1); 1911 (2); 1913 (2); 1914 (2); 1917 (4), 1920 (5); 1921 Aug., Sept. (2); 1922 May (1); Undated (4)

Jameson, J. Franklin (John Franklin), 1859-1927: 1908 June (2); 1909 Dec. (1); 1914 Feb. (3); 1920 Aug. (1); 1922 June (1); 1925 April (2); 1928 Jan. (1); 1930 Jan., Dec. (2); 1931 Aug. (1); 1934 May-Nov. (59); 1936 April, Aug. (2); 1937 Feb., March (3)

Kittrell, Robert Gilliam, fl. 1910-1920s: 1907-08 scattered

Knight, Edgar Wallace, 1885-1953: scattered, 1920s, 1940s

Konkle, Burton Alva, 1861-1944: scattered, especially 1920s

Leland, Waldo Gifford, 1879-1966: 1907 March (1); 1909 Feb. (1); 1921 Sept. (1); 1933 Dec. (1); 1934 March, June, July, Aug., Nov. (6); 1942 June (1); 1943 March (1); Undated (1)

MacLeish, Archibald, 1892-1982: 1939 Oct., Nov. (6); 1940 Jan., Feb., June (9); 1941 March, Aug., Sept. (4); 1942 March-June (5)

Malone, Dumas, 1892-: scattered, 1934-1938

Newsome, Albert Ray, 1844-1951: scattered, 1920s-1940s

Norton, Margaret Cross, fl. 1930s-1930s: 1934 Oct. (1); 1941 Aug. (1); 1943 Feb., Nov. (2); 1946 Sept. (1); 1947 April, July (2)

Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920: 1906 Nov.-Dec. (3); 1907 Mar. (1); 1909 Aug., Dec. (3); 1911 Apr., Aug., Nov. (3); 1912 (3), 1915 (1)

Page, Thaddeus Shaw, 1890-1973: 1943 June, Dec. (2); 1944 March, May (2); 1945 Jan., June (2); 1946 March (2)

Pierson, William Whatley, 1890-1966: 1924 July, Oct. (2); 1925 Feb.-April, June, July (5); 1927 July (1); 1928 July, Sept. (2); 1929 July (1); 1931 July, Aug., Dec. (5); 1932 Jan., May (2); 1934 July, Dec. (2); 1935 March, July (2); 1936 July (1); 1937 Jan., Feb., June, July (6); 1941 June (1)

Poe, Clarence Hamilton, 1881-1964: scattered, especially 1940s

Read, Conyers, 1881-1959: 1934 May-July, Oct., Nov. (15); 1936 June (1); 1938 July, Aug. (2); 1940 Jan. (2)

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945: 1934 Oct. (2); 1935 June, July, Oct. (3); 1937 May, July, Aug. (9); 1938 Jan.-March, Dec. (7); 1939 Jan., Feb., Dec. (3); 1940 Jan, March, April, July, Nov., Dec. (8); 1941 June, July (3); 1942 Feb. (1); 1944 Nov. (1)

Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937: 1906 Nov. (1); 1910 Jan. (1); 1911 Sept., Nov. (2)

Salley, Alexander Samuel, 1871-1961: 1906 Nov. (1); 1907 Mar. (1); 1911 Oct. (1); 1916 Dec. (1)

Turpin, Edna Henry Lee, b. 1867: scattered, 1890s-1940s

Wagstaff, Henry McGibert, 1876-1945: scattered, especially 1920s

Weeks, Stephen Beauregard, 1865-1918: 1906 Dec. (1); 1907 Feb. (1); 1907 Mar. (1); 1909 Jan., May (2); 1910 (1)

Wilson, Louis Round, 1876-1979: 1906 Dec. (1); 1907 Jan. (2); 1908 July (1); 1911 Feb., May, June (4); 1912 Jan (2); 1920 Mar., Sept., Dec. (3); 1921 Jan.-March, June (5); 1923 March (1); 1929 Oct. (1); 1931 April (1); 1932 Feb., Dec. (2); 1933 April (1); 1935 May, July (2); 1936 May (1); 1938 Aug. (1); 1942 Feb. (1); 1945 April (1)

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.1. General Correspondence, 1890-1920.

Mainly letters from family members, personal friends, public school educators, University of North Carolina faculty members, fellow archivists and historians, publishers, and colleagues in various professional organizations. Correspondence concerns Connor's life as student, public school educator, secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, University of North Carolina trustee, and historian.

Letters from family and friends dominate until 1906 and continue, scattered, through 1920 with his father, Henry Groves Connor, as his most regular family correspondent. There are letters from Sadie Hanes Connor both before and after the Connors' marriage.

Some material relates to Connor's teaching experience and work with the state Educational Campaign Committee, including his service as judge of educational projects for the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. Public school educators Harry P. Harding, Charles L. Coon, and R.G. Kittrell, who became superintendents of schools in Charlotte, Wilson, and Tarboro, respectively, wrote Connor about school issues.

Connor's work in establishing the state archives is reflected in correspondence with Dunbar Rowland (Mississippi Department of Archives and History), Thomas M. Owen (Alabama Department of Archives and History), and A.S. Salley, Jr. (Historical Commission of South Carolina), and with national leaders in archival work, including Waldo G. Leland, Worthington C. Ford, J. Franklin Jameson, and Gaillard Hunt. With Hunt, Connor served on a committee to investigate the physical condition of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution for the State Department; their report is enclosed in a letter of 5 May 1920.

Many letters concern Connor's close association with the University of North Carolina as a trustee (1913-1920) and show his involvement in the selection of university presidents in 1913-1914 and 1918-1919. Connor corresponded about North Carolina research with several historians, among them Samuel A. Ashe, Stephen B. Weeks, Alfred M. Waddell, and Charles McLean Andrews. There is also routine correspondence from publishers of the numerous books Connor was writing, as well as from various organizations to which he belonged. In 1920, when he was studying at Columbia, R.B House wrote him about North Carolina Historical Commission business and J. G. de Roulhac Hamilton and Harry W. Chase kept in touch about his coming to the university as a Kenan professor.

Folder 1

1890-1892

Folder 2

1893

Folder 3

1894

Folder 4

1895

Folder 5

1896

Folder 6

1897

Folder 7-8

Folder 7

Folder 8

1898

Folder 9-11

Folder 9

Folder 10

Folder 11

1899

Folder 12-14

Folder 12

Folder 13

Folder 14

1900

Folder 15-17

Folder 15

Folder 16

Folder 17

1901

Folder 18-23

Folder 18

Folder 19

Folder 20

Folder 21

Folder 22

Folder 23

1902

Folder 24-27

Folder 24

Folder 25

Folder 26

Folder 27

1903

Folder 28

1904

Folder 29-33

Folder 29

Folder 30

Folder 31

Folder 32

Folder 33

1906

Folder 34-47

Folder 34

Folder 35

Folder 36

Folder 37

Folder 38

Folder 39

Folder 40

Folder 41

Folder 42

Folder 43

Folder 44

Folder 45

Folder 46

Folder 47

1907

Folder 48-66

Folder 48

Folder 49

Folder 50

Folder 51

Folder 52

Folder 53

Folder 54

Folder 55

Folder 56

Folder 57

Folder 58

Folder 59

Folder 60

Folder 61

Folder 62

Folder 63

Folder 64

Folder 65

Folder 66

1908

Folder 67-87

Folder 67

Folder 68

Folder 69

Folder 70

Folder 71

Folder 72

Folder 73

Folder 74

Folder 75

Folder 76

Folder 77

Folder 78

Folder 79

Folder 80

Folder 81

Folder 82

Folder 83

Folder 84

Folder 85

Folder 86

Folder 87

1909 (January-September)

Folder 88-97

Folder 88

Folder 89

Folder 90

Folder 91

Folder 92

Folder 93

Folder 94

Folder 95

Folder 96

Folder 97

1909 (October-December)

Folder 98-112

Folder 98

Folder 99

Folder 100

Folder 101

Folder 102

Folder 103

Folder 104

Folder 105

Folder 106

Folder 107

Folder 108

Folder 109

Folder 110

Folder 111

Folder 112

1910

Folder 113-138

Folder 113

Folder 114

Folder 115

Folder 116

Folder 117

Folder 118

Folder 119

Folder 120

Folder 121

Folder 122

Folder 123

Folder 124

Folder 125

Folder 126

Folder 127

Folder 128

Folder 129

Folder 130

Folder 131

Folder 132

Folder 133

Folder 134

Folder 135

Folder 136

Folder 137

Folder 138

1911

Folder 139-157

Folder 139

Folder 140

Folder 141

Folder 142

Folder 143

Folder 144

Folder 145

Folder 146

Folder 147

Folder 148

Folder 149

Folder 150

Folder 151

Folder 152

Folder 153

Folder 154

Folder 155

Folder 156

Folder 157

1912

Folder 158-171

Folder 158

Folder 159

Folder 160

Folder 161

Folder 162

Folder 163

Folder 164

Folder 165

Folder 166

Folder 167

Folder 168

Folder 169

Folder 170

Folder 171

1913

Folder 172-186

Folder 172

Folder 173

Folder 174

Folder 175

Folder 176

Folder 177

Folder 178

Folder 179

Folder 180

Folder 181

Folder 182

Folder 183

Folder 184

Folder 185

Folder 186

1914

Folder 187-189

Folder 187

Folder 188

Folder 189

1915

Folder 190-195

Folder 190

Folder 191

Folder 192

Folder 193

Folder 194

Folder 195

1916

Folder 196-209

Folder 196

Folder 197

Folder 198

Folder 199

Folder 200

Folder 201

Folder 202

Folder 203

Folder 204

Folder 205

Folder 206

Folder 207

Folder 208

Folder 209

1917

Folder 210-220

Folder 210

Folder 211

Folder 212

Folder 213

Folder 214

Folder 215

Folder 216

Folder 217

Folder 218

Folder 219

Folder 220

1918

Folder 221-228

Folder 221

Folder 222

Folder 223

Folder 224

Folder 225

Folder 226

Folder 227

Folder 228

1919

Folder 229-255

Folder 229

Folder 230

Folder 231

Folder 232

Folder 233

Folder 234

Folder 235

Folder 236

Folder 237

Folder 238

Folder 239

Folder 240

Folder 241

Folder 242

Folder 243

Folder 244

Folder 245

Folder 246

Folder 247

Folder 248

Folder 249

Folder 250

Folder 251

Folder 252

Folder 253

Folder 254

Folder 255

1920

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.2. General Correspondence, 1921-1933.

Letters concerning Connor's career as Kenan professor of history, his own and others' historical writings, the Connor family, and contemporary issues both inside and outside North Carolina.

During his transition from graduate student at Columbia University to history professor at the University of North Carolina, Connor wrote in June 1921 to his brother Henry Groves Connor, Jr., about his assessment of the university's trustees, faculty, and general status. On 24 August and 1 September, he also discussed the future of the North Carolina Historical Commission and reviewed his accomplishments as its secretary for eighteen years.

Legislative appropriations for the university and the university budget were continuing topics of discussion in Connor's correspondence, and pertinent letters are scattered throughout, especially toward the beginning and end of most years. The present and future relationship of women students to the university was the topic of correspondence between Connor and others in March 1923. Also in 1923, Connor wrote a brief biographical sketch of his father, Henry Groves Connor, in a letter of 31 October. The proposal to build a bell tower on campus was debated in letters of November 1923 and January 1924. Comments on the completed bell tower appear in letters of October and November 1931. The location of the new library was discussed in February 1924 correspondence.

In a letter of 10 March 1924, Connor explained the extent of the "Lily White" movement in the North Carolina Republican party to a fellow professor in California.

The teaching of evolution became a controversy in the legislature and at the university during 1925-1926. See especially letters of 5 and 25 September 1925 and 7 and 16 May 1926 for comments on the controversy's effect at the university and on state politics.

Connor, in trying to answer required forms for the state bureaucracy, described the typical daily duties of a professor (May 1925). A Connor letter of 23 March 1927 is indicative of racial attitudes at the university; he suggested that people were not ready to accept a black guest professor.

Much correspondence, 1926-1928, involved Connor's efforts to finish his two-volume work, North Carolina: Rebuilding an Ancient Commonwealth, 1584-1925. In 1928, Connor corresponded with several colleagues who helped him write the final chapters. The publication of the book in 1929 occasioned several letters about the actual date of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (especially 15 April 1929 and 3 January 1930).

In June 1929, Connor became chairman of the history department at the University of North Carolina. From February to June 1930 much of the correspondence centers on Connor's chances of becoming the successor to Harry W. Chase as university president. In April, correspondence indicates that Connor briefly considered the presidency of Rutgers, a job which would have tripled his salary.

Connor spent the academic year 1931-1932 doing research on North Carolina history sources in England. Colleagues, family, and friends wrote to him about conditions at the university and the worsening financial situation in the state (see especially 1 and 28 January 1932). Connor gave a despairing review of his own U.N.C. salary history, 1921 to 1933, in a letter of May 1933.

Folder 256-279

Folder 256

Folder 257

Folder 258

Folder 259

Folder 260

Folder 261

Folder 262

Folder 263

Folder 264

Folder 265

Folder 266

Folder 267

Folder 268

Folder 269

Folder 270

Folder 271

Folder 272

Folder 273

Folder 274

Folder 275

Folder 276

Folder 277

Folder 278

Folder 279

1921

Folder 280-288

Folder 280

Folder 281

Folder 282

Folder 283

Folder 284

Folder 285

Folder 286

Folder 287

Folder 288

1922 (January-June)

Folder 289-296

Folder 289

Folder 290

Folder 291

Folder 292

Folder 293

Folder 294

Folder 295

Folder 296

1922 (July December)

Folder 297-304

Folder 297

Folder 298

Folder 299

Folder 300

Folder 301

Folder 302

Folder 303

Folder 304

1923

Folder 305-317

Folder 305

Folder 306

Folder 307

Folder 308

Folder 309

Folder 310

Folder 311

Folder 312

Folder 313

Folder 314

Folder 315

Folder 316

Folder 317

1924

Folder 318-339

Folder 318

Folder 319

Folder 320

Folder 321

Folder 322

Folder 323

Folder 324

Folder 325

Folder 326

Folder 327

Folder 328

Folder 329

Folder 330

Folder 331

Folder 332

Folder 333

Folder 334

Folder 335

Folder 336

Folder 337

Folder 338

Folder 339

1925

Folder 340-356

Folder 340

Folder 341

Folder 342

Folder 343

Folder 344

Folder 345

Folder 346

Folder 347

Folder 348

Folder 349

Folder 350

Folder 351

Folder 352

Folder 353

Folder 354

Folder 355

Folder 356

1926

Folder 357-372

Folder 357

Folder 358

Folder 359

Folder 360

Folder 361

Folder 362

Folder 363

Folder 364

Folder 365

Folder 366

Folder 367

Folder 368

Folder 369

Folder 370

Folder 371

Folder 372

1927

Folder 373-386

Folder 373

Folder 374

Folder 375

Folder 376

Folder 377

Folder 378

Folder 379

Folder 380

Folder 381

Folder 382

Folder 383

Folder 384

Folder 385

Folder 386

1928 (January-September)

Folder 387-392

Folder 387

Folder 388

Folder 389

Folder 390

Folder 391

Folder 392

1928 (October-December)

Folder 393-414

Folder 393

Folder 394

Folder 395

Folder 396

Folder 397

Folder 398

Folder 399

Folder 400

Folder 401

Folder 402

Folder 403

Folder 404

Folder 405

Folder 406

Folder 407

Folder 408

Folder 409

Folder 410

Folder 411

Folder 412

Folder 413

Folder 414

1929

Folder 415-428

Folder 415

Folder 416

Folder 417

Folder 418

Folder 419

Folder 420

Folder 421

Folder 422

Folder 423

Folder 424

Folder 425

Folder 426

Folder 427

Folder 428

1930

Folder 429-437

Folder 429

Folder 430

Folder 431

Folder 432

Folder 433

Folder 434

Folder 435

Folder 436

Folder 437

1931

Folder 438-440

Folder 438

Folder 439

Folder 440

1932

Folder 441-442

Folder 441

Folder 442

1933

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.3. General Correspondence, 1934-1941.

Letters on which the journals of his experience as archivist of the United States are based, including his own correspondence and typed transcripts of letters from the files of J. Franklin Jameson that relate to Connor's appointment. Letters of May through September 1934 reflect Connor's initial refusal to leave his position at the University of North Carolina, his selection as the American Historical Association's choice for the job, and the lobbying effort by the history and archival communities to secure his appointment. Many of the letters of 1934-1935 show the pressure on Connor to find jobs in the new Archives for everyone from relatives to those with the backing of the Democratic patronage machine.

Correspondence between Connor and A.R. Newsome, Solon J. ("Steve") Buck, and Theodore C. Blegen of March and September-October 1935 reveals increasing interest in establishing a separate organization of archivists outside of the American Historical Association's Public Archives Commission. In a November 1936 letter, Solon J. Buck supplied a draft for the Society of American Archivists' constitution. Member lists and plans for the first annual meeting of the Society were discussed in letters of May and June 1937. There is also correspondence (April-August 1937) between Connor and Samuel Flagg Bemis, when they were both working on a report for a Society of American Archivists committee about requirements for archival graduate training.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's interest in the work of the Archives is evident in his suggestions for establishing a motion picture archives in a vault under Constitution Avenue (30 October 1935). The question of a motion picture archives continued to be a subject of discussion in letters from Roosevelt and others (see letters of 15 February 1936, 23 and 24 April 1937, 15 and 24 May 1937, and 16 February 1938). Roosevelt also took an interest in the question of moving Civil War records from the War Department to the Archives. (The war records issue appears in letters of 7 July 1937, 2 and 6 August 1937, 2 and 16 December 1938, and 9 January 1939). Roosevelt requested that Connor have the preservation department at the Archives work on his personal papers (letters beginning December 1937 and scattered thereafter), and he called on the services of Connor in planning the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, N.Y. (December 1938 and scattered thereafter).

Letters also reflect Connor's continued interest in and contact with people and events in North Carolina, including the results of the consolidation of the University of North Carolina system (March and October 1934), the proposal of Burton Craige to establish an endowed professorship (March and April 1937), the death of Duke University professor of history William K. Boyd (March 1948) and that of U.N.C. business manager Charles T. Woollen (October 1938), the restoration of the Bennett Place historic site (November-December 1938, May and August 1940), and the proposal to make the Alamance Battleground a national park (February 1940). Scattered letters from friends also kept him informed about the university, the town of Chapel Hill, and the work of the North Carolina Historical Commission. Robert B. House's letter of 5 October 1938, besides eulogizing Charles T. Woollen, also documented the growth of the enrollment and physical plant of the university, 1901-1938. A letter of 14 June 1941 from Frank Porter Graham makes clear the offer to Connor to return to U.N.C. as Burton Craige Professor of History and Jurisprudence.

Folder 443-479

Folder 443

Folder 444

Folder 445

Folder 446

Folder 447

Folder 448

Folder 449

Folder 450

Folder 451

Folder 452

Folder 453

Folder 454

Folder 455

Folder 456

Folder 457

Folder 458

Folder 459

Folder 460

Folder 461

Folder 462

Folder 463

Folder 464

Folder 465

Folder 466

Folder 467

Folder 468

Folder 469

Folder 470

Folder 471

Folder 472

Folder 473

Folder 474

Folder 475

Folder 476

Folder 477

Folder 478

Folder 479

1934 (January-16 October)

Folder 480-496

Folder 480

Folder 481

Folder 482

Folder 483

Folder 484

Folder 485

Folder 486

Folder 487

Folder 488

Folder 489

Folder 490

Folder 491

Folder 492

Folder 493

Folder 494

Folder 495

Folder 496

1934 (17 October-December)

Folder 497-525

Folder 497

Folder 498

Folder 499

Folder 500

Folder 501

Folder 502

Folder 503

Folder 504

Folder 505

Folder 506

Folder 507

Folder 508

Folder 509

Folder 510

Folder 511

Folder 512

Folder 513

Folder 514

Folder 515

Folder 516

Folder 517

Folder 518

Folder 519

Folder 520

Folder 521

Folder 522

Folder 523

Folder 524

Folder 525

1935

Folder 526-548

Folder 526

Folder 527

Folder 528

Folder 529

Folder 530

Folder 531

Folder 532

Folder 533

Folder 534

Folder 535

Folder 536

Folder 537

Folder 538

Folder 539

Folder 540

Folder 541

Folder 542

Folder 543

Folder 544

Folder 545

Folder 546

Folder 547

Folder 548

1936

Folder 549-562

Folder 549

Folder 550

Folder 551

Folder 552

Folder 553

Folder 554

Folder 555

Folder 556

Folder 557

Folder 558

Folder 559

Folder 560

Folder 561

Folder 562

1937 (January-July)

Folder 563-572

Folder 563

Folder 564

Folder 565

Folder 566

Folder 567

Folder 568

Folder 569

Folder 570

Folder 571

Folder 572

1937 (August-December)

Folder 573-592

Folder 573

Folder 574

Folder 575

Folder 576

Folder 577

Folder 578

Folder 579

Folder 580

Folder 581

Folder 582

Folder 583

Folder 584

Folder 585

Folder 586

Folder 587

Folder 588

Folder 589

Folder 590

Folder 591

Folder 592

1938

Folder 593-607

Folder 593

Folder 594

Folder 595

Folder 596

Folder 597

Folder 598

Folder 599

Folder 600

Folder 601

Folder 602

Folder 603

Folder 604

Folder 605

Folder 606

Folder 607

1939

Folder 608-629

Folder 608

Folder 609

Folder 610

Folder 611

Folder 612

Folder 613

Folder 614

Folder 615

Folder 616

Folder 617

Folder 618

Folder 619

Folder 620

Folder 621

Folder 622

Folder 623

Folder 624

Folder 625

Folder 626

Folder 627

Folder 628

Folder 629

1940

Folder 630-649

Folder 630

Folder 631

Folder 632

Folder 633

Folder 634

Folder 635

Folder 636

Folder 637

Folder 638

Folder 639

Folder 640

Folder 641

Folder 642

Folder 643

Folder 644

Folder 645

Folder 646

Folder 647

Folder 648

Folder 649

1941 (January-August)

Folder 650-663

Folder 650

Folder 651

Folder 652

Folder 653

Folder 654

Folder 655

Folder 656

Folder 657

Folder 658

Folder 659

Folder 660

Folder 661

Folder 662

Folder 663

1941 (September-December)

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 1.4. General Correspondence, 1942-1950.

Letters concerning Connor's activities with various organizations and his position as Burton Craige professor of History and Jurisprudence. Organization letters include those involving Society of American Archivists business from 1942 through 1948. The number of Society of American Archivists letters is especially heavy in 1942 and 1943 when Connor was president. There is another heavy concentration of letters from February through September 1946 when Connor was part of a committee making plans to amend the S.A.A. constitution.

Much correspondence comes from Connor's work with the North Carolina Historical Commission, which became the Department of Archives and History in 1943. As head of the executive board, Connor had regular correspondence with Charles Christopher Crittenden, who was secretary of the Historical Commission and executive head of the Department of Archives and History.There were money-raising plans for the reconstruction of Tryon Palace (July-November 1944) and the purchase of the North Carolina Charter of 1663 (1948-1949), as well as plans for a new archives building (November 1944, July 1945, August 1946, January 1950) and for getting a Barrow process laminating machine (November 1947; May, November 1948).

Connor was also on the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina Press (1942-1948) and on Archibald MacLeish's Librarian's Council of the Library of Congress (1942). There are scattered letters pertaining to both. (The majority of papers from the Board of Governors of the Press will be found in Series 4 (Organization Materials), along with those of other organizations in which Connor participated.)

After he left the National Archives, Connor heard occasionally from Solon J. Buck, Thad Page, and other former associates about happenings there. The issue of whether the Declaration of Independence belonged in the Library of Congress or the National Archives arose in letters of December 1944 through February 1945.

The death of Franklin D. Roosevelt prompted some correspondence between Connor and the director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library (June 1945) about the effects of his death and Roosevelt's plans and intentions for his library.

Correspondence with J.G. de Roulhac Hamilton in 1944 (January, February, March, June) dealt with the revival of the Historical Society of North Carolina, of which Connor served as head in 1949.

Affairs at the university are reflected in letters scattered throughout this period. Connor was on a committee in 1944 to make an agreement between the university and the Chapel Hill public schools. The agreement, as well as former ones from 1926 and 1936 are in the January 1944 letters. Race relations in Chapel Hill are reflected in letters of July and September 1944, which discussed a controversy begun when Charles Jones, a Presbyterian minister, invited black band members to a campus youth picnic. Another controversy arose in the history department over conflicts in personality and revisionist teaching of Reconstruction, centering around Professor Howard K. Beale (see letters of August, September, 1946; April 1947).

Folder 664-702

Folder 664

Folder 665

Folder 666

Folder 667

Folder 668

Folder 669

Folder 670

Folder 671

Folder 672

Folder 673

Folder 674

Folder 675

Folder 676

Folder 677

Folder 678

Folder 679

Folder 680

Folder 681

Folder 682

Folder 683

Folder 684

Folder 685

Folder 686

Folder 687

Folder 688

Folder 689

Folder 690

Folder 691

Folder 692

Folder 693

Folder 694

Folder 695

Folder 696

Folder 697

Folder 698

Folder 699

Folder 700

Folder 701

Folder 702

1942

Folder 703-726

Folder 703

Folder 704

Folder 705

Folder 706

Folder 707

Folder 708

Folder 709

Folder 710

Folder 711

Folder 712

Folder 713

Folder 714

Folder 715

Folder 716

Folder 717

Folder 718

Folder 719

Folder 720

Folder 721

Folder 722

Folder 723

Folder 724

Folder 725

Folder 726

1943

Folder 727-729

Folder 727

Folder 728

Folder 729

1944 (January-May)

Folder 730-741

Folder 730

Folder 731

Folder 732

Folder 733

Folder 734

Folder 735

Folder 736

Folder 737

Folder 738

Folder 739

Folder 740

Folder 741

1944 (June-December)

Folder 742-762

Folder 742

Folder 743

Folder 744

Folder 745

Folder 746

Folder 747

Folder 748

Folder 749

Folder 750

Folder 751

Folder 752

Folder 753

Folder 754

Folder 755

Folder 756

Folder 757

Folder 758

Folder 759

Folder 760

Folder 761

Folder 762

1945

Folder 763-784

Folder 763

Folder 764

Folder 765

Folder 766

Folder 767

Folder 768

Folder 769

Folder 770

Folder 771

Folder 772

Folder 773

Folder 774

Folder 775

Folder 776

Folder 777

Folder 778

Folder 779

Folder 780

Folder 781

Folder 782

Folder 783

Folder 784

1946

Folder 785-804

Folder 785

Folder 786

Folder 787

Folder 788

Folder 789

Folder 790

Folder 791

Folder 792

Folder 793

Folder 794

Folder 795

Folder 796

Folder 797

Folder 798

Folder 799

Folder 800

Folder 801

Folder 802

Folder 803

Folder 804

1947

Folder 805-824

Folder 805

Folder 806

Folder 807

Folder 808

Folder 809

Folder 810

Folder 811

Folder 812

Folder 813

Folder 814

Folder 815

Folder 816

Folder 817

Folder 818

Folder 819

Folder 820

Folder 821

Folder 822

Folder 823

Folder 824

1948

Folder 825-840

Folder 825

Folder 826

Folder 827

Folder 828

Folder 829

Folder 830

Folder 831

Folder 832

Folder 833

Folder 834

Folder 835

Folder 836

Folder 837

Folder 838

Folder 839

Folder 840

1949

Folder 841

1950

Folder 842

Undated (from Samuel A. Ashe)

Folder 843-846

Folder 843

Folder 844

Folder 845

Folder 846

Undated (from Henry Groves Connor, Sr.)

Folder 847-850

Folder 847

Folder 848

Folder 849

Folder 850

Undated

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 2. Reminiscences and Related Notes, 1934-1942.

About 340 items.

Writings, telephone transcripts, and notes related to R.D.W. Connor's service as archivist of the United States and his return to the University of North Carolina.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.1. Journals, 1939-1942.

6 items.

Arrangement: by volume number.

Reminiscences about the organization of the National Archives, the establishment of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, and related experiences in Washington, D.C., 1934-1941, based on personal recollections, news accounts, letters, and federal documents. Connor organized these reminiscences in six ring binders; for preservation purposes, the pages have been removed and placed in folders. The original volume numbers have been retained in numbering pages in the folders. The titles of the sections within each volume are Connor's. (See volume I, page 1 for a note by Connor on his sources.)

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Volume I.

Discussion of the evolution of the plan for a National Archives, including the act establishing the Archives and the process followed in the selection of the first archivist. The roles of Conyers Read, J. Franklin Jameson, and Frank Porter Graham in Connor's decision to accept the job are explained.

Folder 851

"A Word of Explanation" (pages 1-3)

Folder 852

"Passage of the National Archives Act" (pages 4-9)

Folder 853-856

Folder 853

Folder 854

Folder 855

Folder 856

"Appointment of an Archivist" (pages 10-147)

Folder 857

"The Archivist Takes Over his Job, 1934" (pages 148-153)

Folder 858

"Resignation from North Carolina Historical Commission, 1934" (pages154-159)

Folder 859

"Confirmation, 1935" (pages 160-163)

Folder 860

"The Triumphant Historians, 1934" (pages 164-171)

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Volume II.

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Volume III.

Development of plans for the F.D.R. Library, December 1938-July 1939, including organizational meetings, initial planning and design, and the fight to get approval in the U.S. House of Representatives. Roles of Frank C. Walker, Samuel E. Morison, Waldo G. Leland, Louis A. Simon, and Kent E. Keller are related.

Folder 876-878

Folder 876

Folder 877

Folder 878

" Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, 1938" (pages 1-72)

Folder 879

"Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, 1939" (pages 72-89)

Folder 880

"The President's Sixth Anniversary Service, 1939" (p. 90)

Folder 881

"Franklin D. Roosevelt Library" (1939, cont'd., pages 91-125)

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Volume IV.

Comments on Thomas E. Dewey and Robert A. Taft in Washington campaign appearances, as well as on the issue of a third term for Roosevelt. F.D.R. Library progress is noted, including Republican reaction to the library, the transfer of the library property to the government, and the controversy caused by money-raising tactics. A demonstration of microfilming and a plan to store part of the Mellon art collection are noted.

Folder 882

"Presidential Candidates in the Making (1938-39)" (pages 1-11)

Folder 883

"F.D.R. Library" (1939, pages 12-30)

Folder 884

"Bids for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Building, 1939" (pages 31-32)

Folder 885

"War and Art, 1939" (pages 33-34)

Folder 886

"1939" (F.D.R. Library, pages 35-39.)

Folder 887

"The President Lays the Cornerstone, 1939" (pages 40-48)

Folder 888

"Annual Reports, 1939" (p. 49)

Folder 889

"A Queen's Photo Goes to the Cleaner, 1940" (pages50-51)

Folder 890

"Fire at the F.D.R. Library, 1940" (p. 52)

Folder 891

"The President's Anniversary Service, 1940" (pages 53-55)

Folder 892

"The Third Term Issue, 1940" (pages 56-59)

Folder 893

"The Third Term and the F.D.R. Library, 1940" (pages 60-71)

Folder 894

"The President's Interest in Microfilming, 1940" (pages 72-73)

Folder 895

"Thirty Million Dollars Worth of Art, 1940" (pages 74-76)

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Volume V.

The completion of the F.D.R. Library project, including the ceremony accepting the building for the government on 4 July 1940, the selection of Fred W. Shipman as director, and the dedication ceremonies of 30 June 1941. Connor also comments on other Washington issues, such as indications of the coming involvement of the United States in World War II and the 1940 presidential campaign. In telling of his decision to resign from the Archives, Connor relates his and F.D.R.'s discussion of Samuel E. Morison and Solon J. Buck.

Folder 896

"The President Inspects His Library, 1940" (pages 1-9)

Folder 897

"Conference with the President, 1940" (pages 10-17)

Folder 898

"American White Paper, 1940" (pages 18-21)

Folder 899

"Straws in the Wind, 1940" (pages22-24)

Folder 900

"Conferences with the President, 1940" (pages 25-34)

Folder 901

"Official Acceptance of the Library, 1940" (pages 35-44)

Folder 902

"The F.D.R. Library, 1940" (pages 45-47)

Folder 903

"Sequel to Transfer of War Department Records, 1940" (pages 48-51)

Folder 904

"Amenities of Politics, 1940" (pages 52-54)

Folder 905

"The 1940 Gridiron Dinner" (pages 55-57)

Folder 906

"The President and his Gatehouse, 1940-41" (pages 58-62)

Folder 907

"Encouraging Words, 1940" (pages 63-69)

Folder 908

"Dedication of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, 1941" (pages 70-79)

Folder 909

"My Resignation., 1941" (pages 80-98)

Folder 910

"President's Acceptance of Honorary Membership in Society of American Archivists" (pages99-100)

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Volume VI.

Connor looks back at a number of issues with which he dealt during his tenure as archivist of the United States. He defines the purpose and scope of the Archives and tells of the opposition he faced from those advocating a separate hall of records. Connor tells how Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes took the Archive's side against Congressional opponents. In dealing with patronage pressures, Connor recalls his meetings with Emil Hurja, the agent of James A. Farley. There was pressure to name as assistant archivist John C. Fitzpatrick of the Library of Congress Manuscript Division or Dunbar Rowland, Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; and there were various requests for positions from congressmen until the Archives came under Civil Service in 1939. Connor discusses the question of moving the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence from the Library of Congress to the Archives and debunks news stories of the time. He tells of the visit of Cecil T. Carr, the British advisor on the setting up of the Federal Register. Roosevelt's dispute with Senator Wheeler of Montana is reviewed in light of information Connor received from William E. Dodd. In another recollection, Connor reveals how State Department archives were transferred to his care because of the intervention of Assistant Secretary of State George S. Messersmith. Connor comments on the controversy aroused by a letter of Ambassador to Germany William E. Dodd in 1937. He also gives a history of the animosity between Harry Hopkins and North Carolina Senator Josiah Bailey and how it focused on the issue of Hopkins's appointment as Secretary of Commerce.

Folder 911

"What Are Archives, 1934-37" (pages 1-28)

Folder 912

"The Patronage Frankenstein, 1934-39" (pages 29-71)

Folder 913

"The Declaration and the Constitution, 1934-39" (pages 72-93)

Folder 914

"Cecil T. Carr, 1935-40" (pages 94-104)

Folder 915

"Some Background of the Roosevelt-Wheeler Quarrel, 1935-41" (pages 105-109)

Folder 916

"Transfer of State Department Archives, 1937-38" (pages 110-129)

Folder 917

"Dodd's Letter on the President's Court Bill of 1937" (pages 130-139)

Folder 918

"Bailey-Hopkins Incident, 1937-39" (pages 140-149)

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.2. Telephone Transcripts and Reminiscences, 1935-1940.

About 170 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Transcripts of telephone calls received by Connor at the National Archives. Many of these consist of requests for positions on the Archives staff. Others deal with issues of concern to Connor as archivist of the United States, including congressional attitudes towards the Archives and progress of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. Interspersed are a few reminiscences Connor wrote, based on the transcripts.

A separate reminiscence describes the genesis of the Burton Craige professorship at the University of North Carolina in 1937 and how Connor received the appointment in 1941.

Folder 919

1935-April 1936.

Folder 920

May-December 1936.

Folder 921

1937-1939.

Folder 922

1940 and undated.

Folder 923

Burton Craige Professorship.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 2.3. Notes, 1934-1942.

About 104 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

A collection of notes recording meetings and other activities of Connor, chiefly in Washington, D.C. The notes seem to be based on his appointment calendar, correspondence and telegrams, and some news clippings. In a separate folder (931) is a list of his major professional activities for 1937.

Folder 924-931

Folder 924

Folder 925

Folder 926

Folder 927

Folder 928

Folder 929

Folder 930

Folder 931

Notes

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 3. Speeches and Writings, 1898-1948.

About 78 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical.

Speeches and writings of R. D. W. Connor on historical and job-related subjects. The largest number (17) are about the National Archives, and a few (3) are about the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. Others are on North Carolina history and public education topics, especially the role of the University of North Carolina. Various phases of history, particularly the American Revolution, are also topics, along with the lives of a few southern men. In "Reminiscences," Connor recalled his first years as the secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission and also his appointment and initial experiences as archivist of the United States.

Two folders (990 and 991) of speeches and writings by others include material related to the National Archives, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Robert E. Lee, George Washington, the North Carolina Archives, and several prominent North Carolinians, including Connor's father, Henry Groves Connor.

Folder 932

"According to Plan," no date, 34 pages

Folder 933

"According to Plan 1793 - 1943," no date, 24 pages

Folder 934

"According to Plan [1944]," 22 pages

Folder 935

"Adventures of an Amateur Archivist," 26 October 1942, 27 pages

Folder 936

[American Historical Association], 28 December 1939, 7 pages

Folder 937

"Americanization of Lee," 11 May 1941, 7 pages

Folder 938

[American Revolution], no date, 33 pages

Folder 939

[Bible Instruction at the University], no date, 8 pages

Folder 940

[Biggs, J. Crawford], no date, 1 p.

Folder 941

"Bit of Educational History," 9 December 1942, 3 pages

Folder 942

"Boyd, William Kenneth," 10 April 1938, 22 pages

Folder 943

"British Invasion of the South," 23 March 1938, 25 pages

Folder 944

"Cassandra Picks the Pocket of Mars," 8 March 1940, 32 pages

Folder 945

[Charity and Children], no date, 3 pages

Folder 946

"City and Democracy," 31 May 1898, 6 pages

Folder 947

[Commencement Address for East Carolina Teachers College], 2 June 1930, 21 pages

Folder 948

"Contributions of the Federal Government to Research," 2 June 1936, 17 pages

Folder 949

[Dedication of the Roosevelt Library], 30 June 1940, 4 pages

Folder 950

"Disunion Tempest in Union Teapot," no date, 6 pages

Folder 951

"Eighteenth Century Philosopher on the Economics of War and Imperialism," 4 August 1942, 34 pages

Folder 952

"F. D. R. Visits the National Archives," no date, 9 pages

Folder 953

"Full Faith and Credit," [1933?], 3 pages

Folder 954

"Graham, Edward Kidder," no date, 13 pages

Folder 955

"Greeting from the National Archives," 26 May 1937, 9 pages

Folder 956

[Heritage, William: Memorial Address], May 1914, 2 pages

Folder 957

"Historic University 1795 - 1945," 10 June 1941, 12 pages

Folder 958

"History in the Making," 29 October 1921, 20 pages

Folder 959

[History: Its Use and Abuse], no date, 38 pages

Folder 960

"History: Its Use and Abuse," 6 December 1940, 22 pages

Folder 961

"History: Its Use and Abuse," 4 April 1941, 27 pages

Folder 962

[Laying of the Cornerstone of the F. D. R. Library], 19 November 1939, 3 pages

Folder 963

"Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence," no date, 2 pages

Folder 964

[National Archives], January 1938, 15 pages

Folder 965

"National Archives," 28 December 1934, 16 pages

Folder 966

"National Archives and Pennsylvania History," 27 October 1939, 22 pages

Folder 967

"National Archives: Objectives and Practices," 24 May 1936, 20 pages

Folder 968

"National Archives of the United States: Objectives and Practices," 16 June 1936, 19 pages

Folder 969

"National Archives: Procedures and Operations," 13 December 1937, 17 pages

Folder 970

[National Archives Staff Address], 12 November 1935, 5 pages

Folder 971

"Necessity for Cooperation Between National and State Archival Agencies," 26 October 1938, 5 pages

Folder 972

"North Carolina Preserves Her Credit," 7 June 1933, 2 pages

Folder 973

"Old Guard's Last Charge," no date, 13 pages

Folder 974

"Our Federal Archives," 25 November 1925, 8 pages

Folder 975

"Our National Archives," 13 January 1935, 22 pages

Folder 976

[Patriotism], no date, 2 pages

Folder 977

"Plans for the National Archives," no date, 15 pages

Folder 978

"Rehabilitation of a Rural Commonwealth," no date, 28 pages

Folder 979

"Reminiscences," March 1948, 31 pages

Folder 980

"Revolution in Civilization," May 1899, 19 pages

Folder 981

"Roosevelt Library," 14 October 1939, 16 pages

Folder 982

"Shall the Constitution be Preserved?", January - April 1935, 21 pages

Folder 983

"State Experiment in Higher Education," 4 December 1946, 22 pages

Folder 984

"Statement of Facts," no date, 15 pages

Folder 985

"University in National Crisis: Past and Present," 1942, 19 pages

Folder 986

"Vance, Zebulon Baird," no date, 11 pages

Folder 987

"What Did Mr. Coon Say?", no date, 11 pages

Folder 988

"Wilson, Thomas James," no date, 9 pages

Folder 989

"Woollen, Charles Thomas," 12 October 1938, 11 pages

Folder 990

Speeches and Writings by Others, I.

Folder 991

Speeches and Writings by Others, II.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 4. Organization Materials, 1903-1950.

About 225 items.

Arrangement: alphabetical by folder and chronological within.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library materials include notes on the initial planning meetings for the library (December 1938-February 1939), information on the cornerstone contents and ceremony, a typed transcript of Roosevelt's 1941 deed of gift, press releases, and bulletins.

Historical Society of North Carolina records include its constitution, charter membership list, and a membership list and agenda from 1949.

Materials that relate to the National Archives include information on the condition of the Declaration of Independence, the bill that created the Archives in 1934, press releases from Connor's resignation in 1941, and brief reports from the Archives in 1942.

Materials relating to the North Carolina Department of Archives and History consist chiefly of reports of the department heads on their activities, budget estimates, and minutes of the meetings of the executive board. Some material relates to the campaign for a new building that went on for several years. There are minutes from meetings of the North Carolina Historical Commission in 1903, 1905, and 1942, a war records manual (1942), and the budget projections for 1943-45.

Items relating to the Society of American Archivists begin with the report of the committee set up to organize the society in 1936. There is also a list of founding members and one of applicants for 1937. Programs, minutes, and agendas for meetings (1938-1943) follow, along with a membership list for 1942.

Materials relating to the University of North Carolina are quite varied and include items like the dispute with the University of Virginia over the football schedule in 1921, reports of various committees, and lists of nominees for honorary degrees. There is some material on the planning for the school's sesquicentennial.

Most items regarding the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina Press are minutes of various meetings, 1942-1948.

Items relating to other organizations include minutes of a meeting of the 1927 editorial board of the North Carolina Historical Review, and some material relating to the American Historical Association in 1936-1937 and to the Literary Society of Washington, D.C., in 1938-1939.

Folder 992

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library.

Folder 993

Historical Society of North Carolina.

Folder 994

National Archives.

Folder 995-997

Folder 995

Folder 996

Folder 997

North Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Folder 998

North Carolina Historical Commission.

Folder 999

Society of American Archivists.

Folder 1000-1001

Folder 1000

Folder 1001

University of North Carolina, Miscellaneous.

Folder 1002-1003

Folder 1002

Folder 1003

University of North Carolina Press, Board of Governors.

Folder 1004-1006

Folder 1004

Folder 1005

Folder 1006

Miscellaneous organizations.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 5. Documentary History Materials, 1945-1950 (and transcriptions of earlier material).

About 550 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Materials from Connor's documentary history project for the University of North Carolina. Begun as a part of the university's sesquicentennial celebration of 1945, the documentary history project was never finished. Connor worked on it full-time in 1949, but he died before anything was published. Two volumes published in 1950 cover the years 1776-1799. More material remains in the collection than was included in the published volumes.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 5.1. Correspondence, 1945-1950.

8 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

A letter from Princeton University and one from the Library of Congress note U.N.C. -related materials. A letter written by Connor's secretary reports on the status of the project at the time of his death.

Folder 1007

Correspondence, 1945-1950

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 5.2. General University Materials, 1791-1843 (transcriptions).

About 420 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Typed transcriptions of materials gathered from the Southern Historical Collection, the University Archives, and other sources.

Folder 1008-1058

Folder 1008

Folder 1009

Folder 1010

Folder 1011

Folder 1012

Folder 1013

Folder 1014

Folder 1015

Folder 1016

Folder 1017

Folder 1018

Folder 1019

Folder 1020

Folder 1021

Folder 1022

Folder 1023

Folder 1024

Folder 1025

Folder 1026

Folder 1027

Folder 1028

Folder 1029

Folder 1030

Folder 1031

Folder 1032

Folder 1033

Folder 1034

Folder 1035

Folder 1036

Folder 1037

Folder 1038

Folder 1039

Folder 1040

Folder 1041

Folder 1042

Folder 1043

Folder 1044

Folder 1045

Folder 1046

Folder 1047

Folder 1048

Folder 1049

Folder 1050

Folder 1051

Folder 1052

Folder 1053

Folder 1054

Folder 1055

Folder 1056

Folder 1057

Folder 1058

General University materials, 1791-1843 (transcriptions).

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 5.3. Student Conduct Materials, 1801-1823 (transcriptions).

About 122 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Typed transcriptions of items copied from the University Archives' Faculty Records on student conduct and discipline.

Folder 1059-1062

Folder 1059

Folder 1060

Folder 1061

Folder 1062

Student conduct materials, 1801-1823 (transcriptions)

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 6. Other Papers, 1909-1950.

About 460 items.

Clippings, invitations, programs, and miscellaneous items, the majority of which date from Connor's years as archivist of the United States, 1934-1941.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 6.1. Clippings, 1909-1950.

About 400 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

In addition to items relating to Connor's position as archivist of the United States, included are reviews of books and articles written by Connor, reviews of speeches he made, announcements of various jobs and positions he took and honors he received, editorials and articles speculating that he would be named president of the University of North Carolina, and a book review he wrote. Additional clippings relate to members of his family. These include death notices of his brothers and of his father; and articles about other members of the Connor family.

Folder 1063-1078

Folder 1063

Folder 1064

Folder 1065

Folder 1066

Folder 1067

Folder 1068

Folder 1069

Folder 1070

Folder 1071

Folder 1072

Folder 1073

Folder 1074

Folder 1075

Folder 1076

Folder 1077

Folder 1078

Clippings, 1909-1950

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 6.2. Invitations and Programs, 1909-1946.

About 30 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Items from University of North Carolina ceremonies, North Carolina social and historical events, and, especially, Connor's activities in Washington, D.C.

Folder 1079-1081

Folder 1079

Folder 1080

Folder 1081

Invitations and programs, 1909-1946

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subseries 6.3. Miscellaneous Items, 1909-1949.

About 30 items.

Arrangement: chronological.

Membership cards and certificates from social, historical, genealogical, and honorary organizations; personal items such as passports and baptismal certificates; and two biographical sketches of R. D. W. Connor.

Folder 1082-1085

Folder 1082

Folder 1083

Folder 1084

Folder 1085

Miscellaneous items, 1909-1949

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 7. Pictures, 1939 and undated.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Items Separated

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