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Virginia Military Institute Archives
Virginia Military Institute Archives© 2002 Virginia Military Institute
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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William Couper Papers, MS 0053, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, VA.
The bulk of the collection was donated by John Lee Couper in 1964.
William Couper spent the majority of his professional life devoted to the Virginia Military Institute and to the study of VMI, Lexington and Rockbridge County, and Virginia history. His terms as VMI's Business Executive and Historiographer encompassed thirty years, but before, during and subsequent to that period he served in many other official and unofficial capacities. He was a noted authority on local and regional history, and on the life and times of General Stonewall Jackson. At VMI, in addition to his official duties, he was responsible for the initial organization and preservation of the Institute's rich historical holdings, including it's unique collection of alumni biographical and genealogical materials.
William Couper Chronology. |
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| Significant Events. | ||
| 1884 | Born November 16 at "Oakland" in Norfolk, Virginia. | |
| 1901 | Graduated from the Norfolk Academy and entered the Third Class at the Virginia Military Institute. | |
| 1904 | Graduated from VMI with distinction (Engineering course). | |
| 1906 | Received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (railroad option) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. | |
| 1906 - 1917 | Worked with the Pennsylvania Railroad at New York City on construction, operating and harbor work; he played a major role in the construction of the railroad tunnels and terminals for NYC. | |
| 1912 | Published "History of the Engineering, Construction and Equipment of the Pennsylvania Railroad New York Tunnels and Terminals. " | |
| 1917 June | Commissioned Major in the United States Army Quartermaster Corps and assigned as Construction Officer at Camp Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina. | |
| 1918 March | Promoted to Lt. Col., in charge of the building of the camp that became Fort Jackson. | |
| 1920 | Completed Army service in March; prepared on request a plan of development for the future of VMI, which was adopted by the VMI Board of Visitors in June. | |
| 1920 - 1921 | Assistant General Manager of the Associated General Contractors of America | |
| 1921 - 1924 | Employed jointly by the Texas Company and the Southern Acid and Sulphur Company as an engineer to develop sulphur properties in Brazoria Co., Texas. | |
| 1924 | Appointed Business Executive in charge of the business activities at the Veterans's Bureau Station at Perry Point, Maryland, where a supply depot, hospital for neuropsychiatric patients, rehabilitation schools and automobile reconditioning shops were operated. | |
| 1925 | Appointed Business Executive at the Virginia Military Institute. | |
| 1931 - 1933 | Secretary and Treasurer of the VMI Alumni Association. | |
| 1933 | Published The VMI New Market Cadets | |
| 1934 | Appointed VMI Historiographer. | |
| 1934 - 1935 | President of the Association of Military Colleges and Universities in the U. S. | |
| 1934 - 1945 | Secretary and Treasurer of the Southern Conference (Athletics) | |
| 1936 | Published Claudius Crozet | |
| 1939 | Published One Hundred Years at VMI and The Register of Former Cadets | |
| 1946 -1948 | Vice President and President of the Southern Conference. | |
| 1952 | Published A History of the Shenandoah Valley | |
| 1954 | Retired from his positions at VMI. | |
| 1964 | Died February 15 at his home in Lexington, Virginia. Buried Norfolk, Virginia. | |
The William Couper Papers document a portion of the life and career of a man notable for his research and publications about the history of the Virginia Military Institute; the Lexington, Rockbridge County and Shenandoah Valley (Virginia) areas; Virginia history and genealogy; Civil War General Stonewall Jackson; and Claudius Crozet.
A significant portion of the papers consist of publication manuscripts (drafts, galleys, proofs), notes, and other material related to Couper's major historical research projects (many of which were published). These include One Hundred Years at VMI , a four volume comprehensive history of the Institute from it's founding in 1839 through 1939; The VMI New Market Cadets , containing biographical information about the VMI students and staff who fought in the Civil War battle on May 15, 1864; Claudius Crozet, a biography of the notable 19th century Virginia Civil Engineer; History of the Shenandoah Valley ; and "Stonewall Jackson Day by Day," a chronological account including events, anecdotes, clippings, transcribed correspondence, notes, and maps.
Couper's passion for the history of Lexington and Rockbridge County (VA) is evident in the substantial amount of local history research material found in his papers. Included are notes on a wide range of local history topics, as well as extensive research material (notes and maps) concerning the history of many local properties and the Lexington cemetery.
The papers also include material concerning the construction of Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Couper's speeches and addresses; maps; scrapbooks; photograph albums; and miscellaneous correspondence.
The papers are organized into 12 series.
1. Books and Articles by William Couper-- Research,
drafts, related materials.
2. Stonewall Jackson Research Materials.
3. Lexington and Rockbridge County (Virginia) History.
4. Genealogy
5. Gen. William Harvie Richardson Subject File.
6. VMI Class of 1904.
7. Fort Jackson, South Carolina, construction.
8. Correspondence.
9. Speeches and Addresses.
10. Maps.
11. Photograph Albums.
12. Printed Material.
Researchers should note that, because Couper served in several different positions at VMI, many of his professional papers are located in various record groups in the VMI Archives. These include records of the Business Office, Alumni Association, and various administrative subject files (e.g. Southern Conference).
The Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, Virginia) holds additional William Couper and Couper Family papers.
In 1974, at the request of the Fort Jackson (SC) Museum, selected Couper papers relating to the construction of Fort Jackson were placed on indefinite loan to the Museum.
Materials relating to the research and publication of Couper's four volume history of the Virginia Military Institute, published in 1939. Related items are located in oversized.
Notes, correspondence, and financial records related to the publication of Couper's book about the VMI cadets who fought at the Battle of New Market (Virginia) in May 1864. This book was published in 1933.
Thom, Morton, Sturm.
Notes by Joseph Reid Anderson, Jr., Torbett and Echols, re: Gen. Breckinridge and Gen. Sigel.
Paperback copy of the final publication
Bank books, account book, balance sheets relating to the publication of the New Market book.
New Market anniversary address delivered in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hall. Typescript draft.
Correspondence re: publication of the pamphlet; printed copies with corrections by William Couper.
Galley proofs, manuscript, notes
Materials related to the manuscript and publication, including notes, correspondence, and newspaper clippings.
Unpublished research material concerning the life of Thomas J. Jackson (General Stonewall Jackson).
Detailed notes regarding Jackson's life, proceeding chronologically from birth to death.
One of Couper's primary research interests was the
history of the Lexington and Rockbridge County area.
This series, including notes, clippings, & other
material, covers a wide range of local history topics.
In addition to the files listed below, related material
is located separately in oversized (map cases).
For related series, see
Maps.
Research material concerning local properties, including notes on plats, deeds, lots, property owners.
Rockbridge, Augusta, Botetourt Counties
Concerning lots, deeds, grants, early lots and annexations, maps.
Concerning property owners, "old places ", "development So. of Lexington ".
General William Harvie Richardson had a long and close association with VMI. He served as the Adjutant General of Virginia and on the VMI Board of Visitors from 1841-1876. The transcriptions of correspondence are of letters found in the official correspondence of VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith. The original letters are located in the VMI Archives, Records of the Superintendent.
Couper graduated from VMI in 1904, and maintained contact with his classmates throughout his life.
The photograph includes the following individuals: Robert B. Allport, Samuel K. Funkhouser, Alfred P. Upshur, Thomas C. Gordon, William Couper, Paul R. Camp, James S. Easley, Ellis C. Caldwell.
Fort Jackson was constructed in 1917 to meet Army training needs during World War I. Couper served as construction Quartermaster.
Written by William Couper
"Analyses of Costs. Original Cantonments. From start to Dec. 31, 1917. "Camps Custer, Grant, Jackson, Lee, Sherman.
Index, notes and/or full-text of Couper's speeches.
Typescript list of speeches, compiled by Couper.
Topics include: VMI history, Stonewall Jackson; Claudius Crozet; Battle of New Market; Rockbridge County maps; early Rockbridge County history; other local history topics (Lexington/Rockbridge Co. Virginia).
Many of the items in this series were hand drawn by William Couper and are annotated, and/or are accompanied by related correspondence and notes. Some additional maps are filed separately in oversized (map case).
Includes notes, keys
Many of these, particularly the plat maps, were drawn by William Couper.
City limits drawn in for 1778; 1847; 1850; 1877.
Drawn by J. A. Champe, Jr. (1912); reprinted 1952.
By D. E. Brady, with notations by William Couper.
By D. E. Brady
Topics include: Campbell family and home (1901); VMI and Lexington (1901); Col. and Mrs. Robert A. Marr; Willoughby Beach.
Includes drawings, sports photographs.
Topics include: Richmond Hill, NY (1910); Norfolk, VA (1910); Washington, DC (1910, 1912); Willoughby Beach, VA (1910, 1911); Corps at Jamestown Exposition (1907); VMI (1910); International Aviation Meet, Belmont Park, Long Island, NY (Oct. 1910); VMI Football Squad (Nov. 1902); Family pictures; PA RR, NY Tunnel; Bear's Den, VA (1912); Trip through West (1911).