This collection consists of patents, manuscripts, speeches, notes, correspondence, photographs, and clippings relating to William Waller Carson. The majority of this material documents Carson's work as a civil engineer, his employment as a professor at the University of Tennessee, and his involvement with several Confederate veterans' associations.

Series I: Writings, 1874-1923, contains patents, manuscripts, and speeches. Most of the patents (Sub-Series A) relate to engineering devices but one documents the Airlie [Genealogical] System. Carson's manuscripts (Sub-Series B) generally relate to one of two works: Carson's religious tract Some Ramblings in Theological Fields and his autobiography, William Waller Carson. The speeches (Sub-Series C) relate to religious matters. Additional speeches regarding the deaths of Confederate veterans can be found in Series II.

Series II: United Confederate Veterans, 1909-1930, primarily documents Carson's time as leader of the Fred Ault Camp of the United Confederate Veterans. Materials include speeches given on the deaths of fellow Confederate veterans, speeches given to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, materials documenting the Fred Ault camp itself, and materials regarding government pensions for former Confederate soldiers.

Series III: University of Tennessee, 1890-1964, houses material documenting Carson's time as a civil engineering professor at the University. This material consists primarily of photographs of University students and faculty and material relating to Carson's death.

Series IV: Other Papers, 1869-2005, contains correspondence to and from Carson regarding various teaching positions and his 1916 retirement from the University of Tennessee, clippings and other materials regarding Carson's family and descendants, clippings regarding the Battle of Fort Sanders, materials regarding some of Carson's professional activities, notes, and minutes.

Series V: Oversized Materials, 1905, contains a three oversized items such as photographs.