Manuscript Collection 7a

William Graves Carleton Papers.
    Correspondence files, 1928-1982.
    3.5 linear ft. (8 boxes).

    This is the first series in the William Graves Carleton Papers and consists of Carleton's existing correspondence.  The correspondence is organized by the name of the recipient.   In addition, there are several folders marked "Miscellaneous" and "Unidentified Correspondents". Included in the miscellaneous files are letters of former students relating their appreciation of his lectures.  The miscellaneous files, as well as files of students who befriended and corresponded with Carleton, offer excellent documentation of campus politics and life.  (See for example "Robert Miller" on student leftists and the American Student Union.)  Also of interest are letters written by students enlisted in the armed forces during World War II.  Contained in the miscellaneous files, and elsewhere in the collection, are letters from individuals who had attended one of his numerous speeches.
     Incoming correspondence is much more complete than outgoing correspondence.  Most of the incoming letters were donated to the Libraries by Carleton and some have annotations in the margins, in Carleton's hand, which explain the circumstances surrounding the letters or identify the correspondents.  The outgoing correspondence and some of the letters received by Carleton were given to the Libraries by Professor Jack Doherty after Carleton's death.
     Correspondence with Carleton's publishers has been filed under the names of the publishing houses and periodicals for which he wrote.  Although much of this correspondence focuses on editorial matters, letters explaining his philosophical and political values can be found as well.

Addendum: Correspondence from Carleton to his parents from 1928 to 1941 were found in Carleton's apartment by his landlord and donated to the Libraries in September 2007.  There were also several letters from his sister, 2 letters from his parents and several from friends.  These letters are not described in the contents list for Series 7a.
 

Link to contents list for Correspondence Files

William Graves Carleton Papers