Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John P. Sawyer Letters, Ms1987-047, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Scope and Contents

The collection was acquired by Special Collections in 1987.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the John P. Sawyer Letters was completed in October 2013.

Biographical Note

John P. Sawyer graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1940, and he later served during World War II.

Ralph Brown was the head librarian of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) from 1926 to 1947. He was originally born in Fort Shaw, Montana, in 1878. He was an ambulance driver during World War I. He also worked as an editor for Rand McNally and Popular Mechanics before coming to work at VPI. The accomplishment he was best known for as head librarian at VPI was his compilation of the V.P.I Historical Index, 1872-1942 . Among other things, he was a book collector and an amateur naturalist.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of letters from John P. Sawyer, written between 1943 and 1945, while on active duty during World War II. The letter are addressed to Ralph M. Brown, librarian at VPI.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Students and alumni
• University History
• Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (1896-1944)
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
• World War, 1939-1945

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the John P. Sawyer Letters by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).