John Edward Williams Papers
Scope and Content
This collection contains the papers of John Edward Williams, a professor of mathematics (1903-1924) and dean of the college (1924-1943) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). The collection contains notes kept by Williams while a graduate student in courses taught by James Morris Page, William H. Echols and others at the University of Virginia. Also included are several notebooks devoted to various mathematical problems and solutions, together with texts of a number of Williams' speeches, as well as a small set of printed articles written by Williams, Page, Echols and others. A collection of Williams' various diplomas and membership certificates completes the collection.
Dates
- Creation: 1892 - 1940
Creator
- Williams, John Edward, 1867-1943 (Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the John Edward Williams Papers must be obtained from the Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Information
John Edward Williams, Virginia Tech mathematics professor and dean of the college, was born in Charlotte County, Virginia on September 17, 1867. The son of Albert H. and Matilda Berkeley Williams, he graduated from Hampden-Sidney College in 1892 before serving as principal of Boydton High School for two years. From 1894 to 1895, he served as assistant principal of Roanoke's Commerce Street School, then returned to Boydton as a private instructor for Col. Thomas F. Goode.
Williams entered a special course in pure mathematics at the University of Virginia in 1896, obtaining his master's degree in 1899 and doctoral degree in 1902. He served as a mathematics instructor at the university from 1899 until 1903, when he was appointed to the mathematics department at Virginia Tech.
In 1924, Williams was named Virginia Tech's dean of the college, a position he would hold until his death. A Presbyterian and Royal Arch Mason, Williams also served on the state board of education and on the Hampden-Sidney board of trustees and was a member of several mathematics- and science-related societies. In 1925, Hampden-Sidney conferred upon him an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Williams married Sallie Taylor Patton, daughter of Col. William M. Patton, in 1905. The couple had three children. John Edward Williams died in Blacksburg on April 19, 1943.
Full Extent
0.6 Cubic Feet (1 box; 1 oversize)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Papers of John Edward Williams, professor of mathematics (1903-1924) and dean of the college (1924-1943) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Includes class notes taken by Williams as a graduate student at the University of Virginia; notes and solutions for various mathematical problems; texts of Williams' speeches; printed articles by Williams and others; diplomas and membership certificates.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by document type, then chronologically.
Acquisition Information
The John Edward Williams Papers were donated to Newman Library in 1956.
General Physical Description note
2 containers; 0.6 cu. ft.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of the John Edward Williams Papers commenced and was completed in October 2007.
- Title
- A Guide to the John Edward Williams Papers, 1892-1940
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- © 2007 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu