Hartley Burr Alexander, 1873-1939 [RG4028.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG4028.AM:  Hartley Burr Alexander, 1873-1939

Papers:  1917-1934, n.d.

Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska:  University professor; iconographer

Size:  0.5 cu.ft.; 1 box

BACKGROUND NOTE

Hartley Burr Alexander, son of George S. and Abbey (Gifford) Alexander, was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1873. After receiving an A.B. from the University of Nebraska in 1897, Alexander served as a fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, 1898-1900, and Columbia University, 1900-1901. He received his doctorate from Columbia in 1907.

From 1908-1927, Dr. Alexander taught philosophy at the University of Nebraska. He was nationally known as a poet, historian, and educator during his lifetime. Alexander’s lasting legacy is his inscription and art symbolism design on the Nebraska State Capitol building. His inscription selections also appeared on the Joslyn Art Museum (Omaha, Neb.), the Los Angeles Public Library, the Oregon State Capitol, and the New York Science and Electricity buildings at the 1933 Chicago World’s fair.

From 1927 until his death in 1939, Alexander taught at Scripps College in Claremont, California. A month before his death, Alexander received an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from the University of Nebraska.

Note: See the Nebraska History Index and the Library Catalog for information about various articles and publications by and about Hartley Burr Alexander held in our collections.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of one box of manuscript material arranged in two series: 1) Correspondence, 1919-1934 and undated; and 2) American-French Children’s League materials. This collection relates entirely to Hartley Burr Alexander’s involvement with the American-French Children’s League, and its predecessor, the American-Franco Children’s League, Inc. Alexander served as treasurer and later, president of the League.

The correspondence, 1919-1934 and undated of Series 1, pertains primarily to the fund raising plans of the American-French Children’s League. This organization was formed to raise money for the orphaned and destitute children of France after World War I. Letters between Mme. Anna E. Guerin and Alexander discuss their hopes for the League, raising money by selling poppies and the problems faced in receiving accreditation.

Series 2 consists of American-French Children’s League materials, 1917-1923 and undated. Included are the certificate of incorporation, constitution and by-laws, progress reports, publicity materials, speeches of Mme. Guerin, Poppy Day materials, postcards, plans, and financial notes.

DESCRIPTION

Series 1 – Correspondence, 1919-1934 and undated

Box 1

Folder

1. 1. 1919 – May 1920

1. 1. June – September 1920

1. 1. October – December 1920

1. 1. January 1921

1. 1. February – March 1921

1. 1. April 1921

1. 1. May 1921

1. 1. June and October 1921 and undated, 1921; 1925-1926

1. 1. Undated correspondence

1. 1. Correspondence to Ruth (Moore) Stanley, 1926-1934

Series 2 – American-French Children’s League materials, 1917-1923

1. 1. Certificate of Incorporation
      
      Constitution and By-Laws
      
      Progress reports of Fatherless Children of France, 1917-1918, and American-French Children’s League, 1920-1923

1. 1. Publicity materials, 1920-1921

1. 1. Speeches of Mme. E. Guerin

1. 1. Poppy Day materials

1. 1. Postcards, plans, financial notes, and miscellany

Subject headings:

Alexander, Hartley Burr, 1873-1939

American-French Children’s League

American-Franco Children’s League, Inc.

Charities

Child welfare

Fatherless Children of France

Guerin, Anna E.

World War, 1914-1918 — Relief work

AIP/pmc             06-02-1988

Revised TMM     01-11-2010; 11-09-2020