This collection houses official papers created during the presidencies of Thomas W. Humes (1865-1883), Charles W. Dabney (1887-1904), Brown Ayres (1904-1919), Harcourt Morgan (1919-1934) and James D. Hoskins (1934-1946) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. These materials include correspondence from each of the five presidents, subject files, faculty lists, and materials documenting university activities dating from the end of the Civil War to the end of World War II. Specific topics covered include the agricultural concerns, annual University budgets, the evolution controversy, World War II campaigns, the Board of Trustees, and the changing student life at the University. Although the University had no President from 1883 to 1887, University activities that took place during this time are documented in this collection.

Interested researchers may also wish to consult AR.0257: Chairman of the Faculty Papers, AR.0144 Presidents Thomas Humes and Charles Dabney Papers, AR.0004: Presidents Charles Dabney, Brown Ayres, Harcourt Morgan, and James Hoskins Papers, 1900-1946, AR.0005: Presidential Papers, 1919-1957, AR.0138 President James Hoskins Papers, 1897-1954, AR.0091 Board of Trustees Records, 1808-1982, AR.0089: Board of Trustees, 1920-1960, AR.0081: Treasurer's Reports, 1905-1928, and AR.0364 Treasurer's Account Books, 1858-1934 for more information about the University of Tennessee during this period in its history.