George Robert Latham (1832-1917), Civil War and West Virginia Statehood Papers, 1862-1882, 1914-1917, undated A&M 0066

West Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu

Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center

Repository

West Virginia and Regional History Center

Identification

A&M 0066

Title

George Robert Latham (1832-1917), Civil War and West Virginia Statehood Papers 1862-1882, 1914-1917, undated 1914-1917

URL:

https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/ark:/99999/196460

Quantity

0.2 Linear Feet, Summary: 2 in. (3 folders)

Creator

Latham, George Robert, 1832-1917.

Location

West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/

Language

English

Abstract

Correspondence, speeches and essays, and other papers pertaining to the military and diplomatic service of Colonel George R. Latham (1832-1917), who was a delegate to the Wheeling Convention in 1861, colonel of the 2nd West Virginia Infantry during the Civil War, a member of Congress from 1865 to 1867, and the United States consul in Australia from 1867 to 1870. Materials from the late 1860s and early 1870s relate to the consulate in Melbourne. These include shares of the Fiji Adventure of the Polynesia Company (1869) and papers regarding the Civil War soldier pension of Arthur Sharpley (1872), who appointed Latham as his attorney. Materials from 1914 to 1917 relate to Latham's pursuit of historical information about West Virginia statehood, the Civil War, and various Constitutional matters. It appears that Latham was gathering this information in preparation for writing his reminiscences. Also included are speeches and essays, most of which were probably written by Latham, on U.S. public lands, the constitutionality of West Virginia statehood, and Memorial Day and the Civil War.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], George Robert Latham (1832-1917), Civil War and West Virginia Statehood Papers, A&M 0066, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

George Robert Latham was born near Haymarket, Virginia, in 1832. He practiced law in Grafton, Virginia (now West Virginia), in the late 1850s. Latham served as a delegate to the Wheeling convention for the formation of West Virginia and was colonel of the 2nd West Virginia Infantry (which became the 5th West Virginia Cavalry) during the Civil War. Latham was a member of the 39th Congress from 1865 to 1867 and the United States consul in Melbourne, Australia, from 1867 to 1870. He then returned to West Virginia. George Robert Latham died on 16 December 1917.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Australia
Civil War - West Virginia 2nd Volunteer Infantry.
Latham, George Robert, 1832-1917.
Melbourne (Vic.)
Statehood politics -- West Virginia
United States. Army. West Virginia Infantry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1864)
West Virginia - Politics and government - 1861-1865.
West Virginia -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

Latham, George Robert, 1832-1917.

Significant Places Associated With the Collection

Australia
Melbourne (Vic.)
West Virginia - Politics and government - 1861-1865.
West Virginia -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865