Academics

Papers of Albert William Atwood, 1948-1975

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary
Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.: MSS 1
Creator: Atwood, Albert
Title: Albert William Atwood Papers, 1948-1975
Quantity: 2.0 Linear Feet (4 document boxes)
Abstract: The collection focuses on Atwood’s role on the Gallaudet University Board of Directors.
Note: This document last updated 2005 November 17.

Administrative Information
Acquisition Information: The collection was given to the Gallaudet archives in 1975 by Sally Atwood Daily.
Processed by: Ulf Hedberg, 1989 February 27.
Processing Note:
Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Biographical Sketch

1879 Born on February 25th in Jersey City, New Jersey.
1903 Received B.A. degree from Amherst College.
1903-1906 Reporter for New York Sun.
1906-1912 Financial editor for New York Press. Contributed regularly to the Hearst’s Magazine, the American Magazine, the Review of Reviews for several years.
1908-1915 Financial and insurance editor for McClure’s Magazine.
1913-1917 Financial editor for Harper’s Weekly.
1914-1937 Editorial writer for Saturday Evening Post.
1920 Received honorary degree of M.A. from Amherst College and Princeton University.
1933-1970 Mr. Atwood was elected to the Board of Trustees of the District of Columbia Public Library and was President of the Board of Trustees from 1946 to 1970, then he retired as President.
1941-1962 Mr. Atwood was elected to the Board of Directors of Washington Gas Light Company, was Director of the company from 1941 to 1955. From 1955 to 1962, he was member of company.
1944-1968 Mr. Atwood joined the Board of Trustees of Gallaudet College in 1944, was Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1947 to 1968 when he resigned. He had been a member and chairman of the Board of Directors for 24 years.
1951 Received honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Gallaudet College.
1953 Received honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) from Amherst College.
1967 Named as “Man of the Year” by Gallaudet College’s Alpha Sigma Pi Fraternity.
1975 Died on January 23rd, at the age of 95 in Washington, D.C.

Scope and Content
The Albert William Atwood Collection consists of material related to his work for the Board of Directors of Gallaudet College. The collection consists of approximately 2500 items dating from 1948 to 1975. The majority of the papers date from the 1960’s. The bulk of the collection consists of clippings, newsletters, correspondence of the Board of Directors and others, funds, expenses and salaries, Gallaudet Centennial Fund, “Gallaudet College: It’s First One Hundred Years”, general correspondence, Middle States Association, printed materials, publication notes, and a commencement hood. The correspondence and general correspondence are arranged chronologically. Financial statements, and letters are included in the folder of Funds, Expenses and Salaries. In the folder of Gallaudet Centennial Fund one can find correspondence, and pamphlets. Included in the folder related to the publication, “Gallaudet College: It’s First One Hundred Years” there are receipts, letters related to the book and copyright registration. In the folder of printed materials there is a book which was published by Washington Gas Light Company in 1948 and edited by Mr. Atwood, when he was President of that company. The large group of publication notes relate to Mr. Atwood’s work for his book which was published in 1964.

Series Description and Folder Lists No Series.

Box Folder Title of Folder Date
1 1 Clippings – Newsletters 1964
1 2 Correspondence – Alumni Association 1960-1966
1 3 Correspondence – Board of Directors 1962-1968
1 4 Correspondence – Cohen, S. 1961-1964
1 5 Correspondence – Detmold, G. 1962-1964
1 6 Correspondence – Elstad, L. 1952-1964
1 7 Correspondence – Faculty 1949-1964
1 8 Correspondence – “Gallaudet College: It’s First One Hundred Years” 1964-1965
1 9 Correspondence – State Schools for the Deaf 1960-1964
1 10 Correspondence – Thornberry, H. 1963-1964
1 11 Funds, Expenses and Salaries 1959-1964
1 12 Gallaudet Centennial Fund 1960-1964
2 1 “Gallaudet College: It’s First One Hundred Years” 1962-1965
2 2 General Correspondence 1954-1975
2 3 Middle States Association 1963
2 4 Printed Materials 1948-1963
2 5 Publication Notes 1960’s
2 6 Publication Notes 1960’s
2 7 Publication Notes 1960’s
2 8 Publication Notes 1960’s
2 9 Publication Notes 1960’s
2 10 Publication Notes 1960’s
2 11 Publication Notes 1960’s
2 12 Publication Notes 1960’s
2 13 Publication Notes 1960’s
3 1 Publication Notes 1960’s
3 2 Publication Notes 1960’s
3 3 Publication Notes 1960’s
3 4 Publication Notes 1960’s
3 5 Publication Notes 1960’s
3 6 Publication Notes 1960’s
3 7 Publication Notes 1960’s
3 8 Publication Notes 1960’s

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