Elizabeth Dunbar collection of papers about Talcott Williams
Collection 0717
[1808-1933], 1824-1936, undated(0.4 Linear feet ; 1 box, 1 flat file)
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- Creator
- Dunbar, Elizabeth
- Title
- Elizabeth Dunbar collection of papers about Talcott Williams
- ID
- 0717
- Date
- [1808-1933], 1824-1936, undated
- Extent
- 0.4 Linear feet ; 1 box, 1 flat file
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Lindsey Schwartz.
- Sponsor
- Care of this collection was supported in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and by the Young Friends of HSP.
- Language
- English
- Abstract
- This collection contains typewritten copies of letters, testimonials, addresses, obituaries, tributes of African Americans, bibliographical notes, mementoes, and sketches, gathered by Elizabeth Dunbar for a biography of Talcott Williams. Included are letters, 1933, addressed to Elizabeth Dunbar; papers on Morocco, the Muslim world, and related subjects.
Preferred citation
Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], Elizabeth Dunbar collection of papers about Talcott Willliams (Collection 0717), Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Biographical note
Talcott Williams (1849-1928), son of a missionary, was born in Syria and lived in Turkey until he was 16. After graduating from Amherst college, he spent a significant part of his career as a reporter and associate editor of the Philadelphia Press. In his sixties, he transitioned his career into academics, serving as the director of Columbia University’s School of Journalism (also known as the Pulitzer School). Williams received honorary degrees from a number of institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Western Reserve University, and the University of Rochester. His other notable achievements include time as the associate editor of the International Encyclopedia and contribution to the first Encyclopedia Britannica in the United States. Within his prolific career, Williams was involved in a number of organizations, including the Executive Committee of the National Civic Federation, the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and the American Historical Society.
Williams is considered a pioneer of journalism for his accomplished career through the professional ranks and his compassionate social perspective, as seen in his interviews and editorials.
Scope and content note
This small collection consists mainly of typewritten copies of letters, testimonials, addresses, obituaries, tributes of African Americans, bibliographical notes, mementoes, and sketches, gathered by Elizabeth Dunbar for a biography of Talcott Williams. His collected writings are a substantial portion of the collection. Subjects include: emigration and colonization of the African coasts and Haiti; the English language, journalism, politics, academics, Philadelphia, and religion (Islam, Confucianism, and Christianity). Williams was an advocate for the disenfranchised, seen in his writings on child welfare and civil rights. There is also a significant amount of Williams’ writings on his trip to Morocco in 1898, including anthropological and archaeological notes, and a list of artifacts donated to the University of Pennsylvania Museum.
The bracketed date span for this collection reflects the fact that this collection contains Dunbar’s contemporary copies of Williams’ correspondence. Researchers will also find a few original letters by Williams, as well. There is also a series of letters written to Elizabeth Dunbar about her research process. Dunbar’s book, Talcott Williams, Gentleman of the Fourth Estate was published in 1936.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Historical Society of Pennsylvania ; 2020.
1300 Locust StreetPhiladelphia, PA, 19107
215-732-6200
Provenance
Gift of Elizabeth Dunbar.
Related Materials
Related materials
At the Historical Society of Pennsylvania:
Talcott Williams’ writings and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings compiled by Dunbar (call number Wxw*.38, vols. 1-9).
Controlled Access Headings
Personal Name(s)
- Williams, Talcott, 1849-1928
Subject(s)
- Africa--Description and Travel--19th century.
- Biography--20th century.
- Historians--Research Material.
- Journalism--19th century.
- Journalism--20th century.
Bibliography
“African Section.” Penn Museum, https://www.penn.museum/about-collections/curatorial-sections/african-section. Accessed 6 February 2020.
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Chronological list of papers, addresses, memorial notices and biographical sketches by or about TW; an editorial by his grandfather and a sermon by his father (with index) (1824-1933) |
1 | 1-5 | ||
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Talcott Williams Bibliography; “An Appreciation of Dr. Talcott Williams” by A. L. Manly (undated) |
1 | 5 | ||
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Memorabilia; Correspondence (with index); "Journalism's Future"; Syllabus - "Journalism's 141" (1897-1936, undated) |
1 | 6 | ||
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Letters (to Elizabeth Dunbar) (1932-1934) |
1 | 7 | ||
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Photographs; “Black Man’s Burden,” “Pioneer” (two essays by Dunbar) (1936, undated) |
1 | 8 | ||
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Letters (indexed typed copies) to, from, or about Talcott Williams ([1808-1933], undated) |
1 | 9 | ||
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Papers on Morocco (with index) (undated) |
1 | 10 | ||
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Papers and correspondence (with listing) ([1876-1904], 1916-1924, undated) |
1 | 11 | ||
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| Oversize | ||||
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Preface to Barron's "Mexican Problems" with copy edits (undated) |
Flat file 1 | |||
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