Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

William Couper Papers, MS 0053, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, VA.

Acquisition Information

The bulk of the collection was donated by John Lee Couper in 1964.

Biographical/Historical Information

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.

Scope and Content Information

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.

Organization

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.

Related 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.

Separated Material

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.

Additional Descriptive Data