Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Jacob Todd, Student Assistant, and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2015.014
Title
Frank L. Robeson Papers 1899-1954, undated
Quantity
7.6 Cubic Feet, 6 boxes
Creator
Robeson, Frank Leigh, 1884-1974
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.
Abstract
The collection includes papers from Frank L. Robeson's tenure as a student at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College
and Polytechnic Institute, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University, as well as subject and research files from his
nearly 50 years as an instructor and professor at VPI, dating from 1899 to 1954.
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],
Frank L. Robeson Papers, Ms2015-014, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Frank L. Robeson Papers were acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 2008. They are believed
to have been donated to the library, probably after Dr. Robeson's death in 1974.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Frank L. Robeson Papers was completed in July 2015.
Frank Leigh Robeson was born on August 31, 1884, in Farmville, Virginia, to George M. and Anna M. Robeson. In 1912, he married
Mary Anna Matthews (1888-1975). They had 5 children: Helen (b. 1913), Mary (b. 1915), Martha (b. 1921), Amenta (b. 1922),
and Andrew (b. 1927). Robeson died in September 1974 in Blacksburg, Montgomery County, Virginia. He is buried in Westview
Cemetery.
Robeson graduated from Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute with a B. S. in 1904. Between
1904 and 1907, he served as an instructor in Mathematics and Drawing and later in Mathematics and Graphics. From 1910-1913,
he was an instructor in Mathematics and Experimental Engineering. In 1913, he received an M. A. from Columbia University.
From 1913-1917, he served as an Associate Professor of Physics and from 1917-1955 (except for a leave in 1922/1923) as a Professor
of Physics. He completed a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins in 1923 before returning to teach at VPI. Between 1936 and 1941, he was
the head of the Physics Department. After retiring in September 1954, he was granted emeritus status. In honor of his long
career at VPI as a student and teacher, the Department of Physics building, completed in 1960, was dedicated "Robeson Hall"
in 1969. A portrait of him hangs in the building.
The collection includes papers from Robeson's tenure as a student at Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic
Institute, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University, as well as subject and research files from his nearly 50 years
as an instructor and professor at VPI, dating from 1899 to 1954. The papers contain notebooks and students sketch/composition
books; personal correspondence; research on topics relating to math, physics, and drawing; notes and lectures from classes
taught; Virginia Academy of Science documents; papers; and publications; and a few photographs and negatives.
The original file names were retained when the collection was processed. Some related folders were consolidated and duplicates
removed. The collection is arranged in chronological order with the undated materials in the last box.
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