Arthur Swann Letters and Grade Reports
This collection consists of several letters that UT Cadet Arthur Swann wrote home to his mother, V. C. Swann, and two of his sisters, Victoria and Florence, in Dandridge, Tennessee between 1888 and 1890. In these letters, he discusses his daily life as a cadet at the university, asks for money to pay for room and board, and addresses concerns about his grades. The collection also contains three of Swann’s grade reports as well as a letter from President Charles Dabney to Swann’s mother regarding her concerns about Swann’s living and monetary situations, assuring her that Swann seems to be an earnest fellow who is living with one of our very best Christian boys … and … could not be better situated. He also advises her to send money directly to Swann but requests that she let me advise him about his expenditures.
Dates
- 1888 September 9-1890 June 2
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection consists of several letters that UT Cadet Arthur Swann wrote home to his mother, V. C. Swann, and two of his sisters, Victoria and Florence, in Dandridge, Tennessee between 1888 and 1890. In these letters, he discusses his daily life as a cadet at the university, asks for money to pay for room and board, and addresses concerns about his grades. The collection also contains three of Swann’s grade reports as well as a letter from President Charles Dabney to Swann’s mother regarding her concerns about Swann’s living and monetary situations.
Biographical/Historical Note
William Arthur Swann (usually called Arthur) was born on August 5, 1870 in Dandridge, Tennessee to Judge James Preston Swann and Victoria Cynthia (Graham) Swann. He had nine siblings including two sisters, Florence (Swann) Doggett (1864-1904) and Victoria (Swann) Susong (1866-1943). Swann studied at the University of Tennessee from 1888 to 1890 and went on to practice law and to serve as a Republican representative from Jefferson County in the 52nd General Assembly of the Tennessee Legislature (1901-1903). He was appointed Postmaster of Dandridge in 1905 and practiced law in Dandridge as well as serving as a director for the Jefferson County Bank and as a member of the firm of C. M. Williford Hardware Company. He married Nina Gwinn on November 6, 1906. Arthur Swann died in Knoxville on November 3, 1932 and is buried in Dandridge.
Arrangement
This collection consists of two folders.
Acquisition Note
Joe Swann donated this collection to Special Collections in 2010.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository