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William Starr Myers Papers

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This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Public Policy Papers. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Myers, William Starr, 1877-1956

William Starr Myers (1877-1954) was a professor of history and politics at Princeton University and a noted historian of New Jersey and the Republican Party. Myers was born in Baltimore on June 17, 1877. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1897 and received his PhD in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins in 1900. Myers' first job after graduation was as Master in History at the Gilman School in Baltimore. In 1906, Woodrow Wilson summoned Myers to Princeton to become a preceptor in history at Princeton University. Myers became a Professor of History and Politics in 1918 and served in that position until he became Professor Emeritus in June 1943.

Myers was a respected historian who published numerous noteworthy books during his career. He often wrote on the subject of contemporary history. Myers became an authority on the history of the Republican Party in the early twentieth century by publishing books such as The Republican Party: A History (1928) and The Hoover Administration (1936). Always active in Republican Party affairs both local and national, Myers eventually became friends with Herbert Hoover and edited a collection of Hoover's papers and writings. Myers was also a noted New Jersey historian, publishing a history of the state and a history of the Battle of Monmouth. He was instrumental in the campaign to gain National Historic Landmark status for the Princeton Battlefield. Myers was quite active professionally. He served as a lecturer at the Army War College in Washington, D.C. from 1920 to 1940, published regularly in historical journals, and attended and spoke at numerous roundtable conferences. Away from the history profession, Myers was a practicing Episcopalian, serving as president of the board of managers of the Evangelical Education Society for nearly a decade. Myers was also a Trustee of the Lake Placid Club Education Foundation from 1929 to 1931 and a member of the Small Loans Commission of New Jersey from 1931 to 1932.

Myers, William Starr, 1877-1956

William Starr Myers (1877-1954) was a professor of history and politics at Princeton University and a noted historian of New Jersey and the Republican Party. Myers was born in Baltimore on June 17, 1877. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1897 and received his PhD in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins in 1900. Myers' first job after graduation was as Master in History at the Gilman School in Baltimore. In 1906, Woodrow Wilson summoned Myers to Princeton to become a preceptor in history at Princeton University. Myers became a Professor of History and Politics in 1918 and served in that position until he became Professor Emeritus in June 1943.

Myers was a respected historian who published numerous noteworthy books during his career. He often wrote on the subject of contemporary history. Myers became an authority on the history of the Republican Party in the early twentieth century by publishing books such as The Republican Party: A History (1928) and The Hoover Administration (1936). Always active in Republican Party affairs both local and national, Myers eventually became friends with Herbert Hoover and edited a collection of Hoover's papers and writings. Myers was also a noted New Jersey historian, publishing a history of the state and a history of the Battle of Monmouth. He was instrumental in the campaign to gain National Historic Landmark status for the Princeton Battlefield. Myers was quite active professionally. He served as a lecturer at the Army War College in Washington, D.C. from 1920 to 1940, published regularly in historical journals, and attended and spoke at numerous roundtable conferences. Away from the history profession, Myers was a practicing Episcopalian, serving as president of the board of managers of the Evangelical Education Society for nearly a decade. Myers was also a Trustee of the Lake Placid Club Education Foundation from 1929 to 1931 and a member of the Small Loans Commission of New Jersey from 1931 to 1932.

The William Starr Myers Papers document his teaching career and published works, and include diaries, drafts, notes, lectures, correspondence, printed material, photographs, and scrapbooks. Myers' work as a professor, examples of Myers' professional involvement, and areas of focus are evident throughout the collection. Myers' areas of study include the Republican Party, New Jersey history, and Far East Asian politics. Record of Myers' personal life is evident in his diaries and engagement books and the correspondence with his family.

Please see series descriptions in contents list for additional information about individual series.

Material within William Starr Myers' faculty file, part of the Princeton University Archives, was consulted during the preparation of this finding aid.

Microfilm of the diaries appears at the end of Subseries 1A: Diaries.

The bulk of the collection was donated by Mrs. Margaret Myers in May 1956. The two sketches by J. N. Darling were donated by John Hull McLean in June 1994.

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

This collection was processed by Casey Babcock in October 2007. Finding aid written by Casey Babcock in October 2007.

Photographic negatives, which had deteriorated, as well as sheet music have been removed.

Publisher
Public Policy Papers
Finding Aid Author
Casey Babcock
Finding Aid Date
2007
Sponsor
These papers were processed with an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

The Writings Series consists of Myers' personal and professional writings from both his time as a graduate student and his tenure as a professor at Princeton University. The bulk of the documents, including all of the Diaries and Notes subseries and much of the Lectures subseries, are in Myers' hand. Other documents include typescripts and carbons of various Myers monographs, bank account books, and engagement books. This series documents not only Myers day-to-day life, but also his interests and work habits. This is particularly evident in the Notes subseries. Included here are notebooks containing newspapers clippings which were carefully and meticulous maintained by Myers throughout his career. The clippings are accompanied by notes, thoughts, and future ideas for Myers' writings.

Arrangement

The Writings Series is arranged in five subseries: Diaries, Drafts, Lectures, Notes, and Miscellaneous.

Physical Description

20 boxes

Scope and Contents

The Diaries Subseries consists of Myers' diaries, which he maintained throughout his life. The diaries serve as evidence of Myers' activities and consist mostly of dates, engagements, and reminders. Myers often gave brief descriptions of his daily activities and offer a glimpse of his work habits and processes. A bulk of the entries are not lengthy. For additional information on Myers' daily activities, please see the engagements books in Subseries 1E: Miscellaneous.

Arrangement

The diaries are arranged chronologically. Microfilm of the diaries appears at the end of the subseries.

Physical Description

5 boxes

1887 January-1891 October, 1887 January-1891 October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1891 October-December, 1892, 1891 October-December. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1893 January-1893 December, 1893 January-1893 December. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1894 January-1897 December, 1894 January-1897 December. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1898 January-1902 August 13, 1898 January-1902 August. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1899 June-September, 1899 June-September. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1902 August 14-1910 May 14, 1902 August 14-1910 May 14. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1910 May 17-1915 December, 1910 May. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1916 January-1920 September, 1916 January-1920 September. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1920 October-1923 July 11, 1920 October-1923 July. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1923 July 12-1927 May 3, 1923 July 12-1927 May 3. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1927 May 4-1932 May 1, 1927 May 4-1932 May 1. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1932 May 2-1936 April 6, 1932 May 2-1936 April 6. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1936 April 7-1939 November 27, 1936 April 7-1939 November 27. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1939 November 29-1943 July 20, 1939 November 29-1943 July 20. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1943 July 25-1951 February 14, 1943 July 25-1951 February 14. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1950 March 15-1953 October 22, 1950 March 15-1953 October 22. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Microfilm of Diaries, undated. 1 box.
Scope and Contents

4 reels. Reel 1: 1887-1910. Reel 2: 1910-1927. Reel 3: 1927-1939. Reel 4: 1939-1953.

Physical Description

1 box

Scope and Contents

The Drafts Subseries consists of several of Myers' monographs in various stages of development. The bulk of the documents are carbons and typescripts. Some rough drafts are also included. Many of the drafts annotated.

Arrangement

The materials in the Drafts Subseries are grouped by book. The groups are arranged alphabetically.

Physical Description

3 boxes

Original Manuscripts, 1897-1900. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Original Manuscripts, 1899. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

Chapters 1-5, Typescript, 1931. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapters 6-10, Typescript, 1931. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Chapters 15-20, Typescript, 1931. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

3 boxes

Carbon Copy, 1938-1948. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Rough Draft and Carbon Copy, 1938. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Carbon Copy, 1934. 3 folders.
Physical Description

3 folders

Typescript, 1934. 3 folders.
Physical Description

3 folders

Rough Draft, 1932-1935. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Typescript, 1932-1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1932-1935. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

The Republican Party, A History, Typescript, 1927. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

The Story of New Jersey, Typescript, 1943. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Scope and Contents

The Lectures Subseries consists of lectures written and given by Myers while he was a trustee with the Lake Placid Club Education Foundation and professor at Princeton University. The bulk of the documents are not finished lectures but rather notes and materials used by Myers to write the lectures. The majority of the lectures focus on the Republican Party and politics.

Arrangement

The Lectures Subseries is arranged in two groups: Lectures Given at Lake Placid and Princeton University Lectures. Materials in the Lake Placid group are arranged chronologically. Materials in the Princeton group are arranged alphabetically.

Physical Description

4 boxes

Physical Description

2 boxes

1903-1938, 1903-1938. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1909-1939, 1909-1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1931-1940, 1931-1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1931-1949, 1931-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1935-1949, 1935-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1937-1948, 1937-1948. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1939-1950, 1939-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

Notes, 1927-1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Notes, 1930-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Notes, 1933-1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Notes, Drafts, and Correspondence, 1922-1935. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Printed Lectures, 1923-1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Printed Lectures, Drafts, and Notes, 1923-1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

1901-1918, 1901-1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1904-1918, 1904-1918. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1906-1926, 1906-1926. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1908-1921, 1908-1921. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1924-1928, 1924-1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1926-1939, 1926-1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1927-1929, 1927-1929. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Notes Subseries contains notes written by Myers while he was both a student and professor. Throughout his career as a professor, Myers clipped news stories from the newspaper and collected them in notebooks. The clippings are often annotated and accompanied by Myers' thoughts and ideas. They focus on Republican Party matters, both at the national and state level and were likely used when researching and writing his monographs. Also included in this subseries are Myers' notes from graduate school, taken during history and politics courses.

Arrangement

The Notes Subseries is grouped by subject and arranged chronologically.

Physical Description

6 boxes

Physical Description

2 boxes

1915-1916, 1915-1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1916-1917, 1916-1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1917-1919, 1917-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1919-1920, 1919-1920. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1920-1921, 1920-1921. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1921-1922, 1921-1922. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1924-1927, 1924-1927. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1928-1931, 1928-1931. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1911-1928, 1911-1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

1897 September-October, 1897 September-October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1897 October-November, 1897 October-November. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1898 March, 1898 March. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1898 March-October, 1898 March-October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1899 October-1900 February, 1899 October-1900 February. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1898 October, 1898 October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1898 November-1899 March, 1898 November-1899 March. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1899 March-October, 1899 March-October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

Class Notes, 1907-1941. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

English History, 1915-1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

English History, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

American History, undated. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

American History, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Miscellaneous Subseries consists of documents created by Myers during the course of his daily work. The bulk of the material is in the form of account books, documenting his finances, and engagement books, which include a log of his daily appointments. Also include are numerous poems written by Myers and Myers' reviews of works by his peers in the history and political science fields.

Arrangement

The Miscellaneous Subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Physical Description

3 boxes

Physical Description

1 box

1893-1914, 1893-1914. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1900-1909, 1900-1909. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1913 September 18-1917 December 31, 1913 September 18-1917 December 31. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1940 January 8-1946 January 3, 1940 January 8-1946 January 3. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

3 boxes

1909-1919, 1909-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1920-1929, 1920-1929. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1930-1939, 1930-1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1940-1949, 1940-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1950-1954, 1950-1954. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Poetry, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Reviews, 1913-1948. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Royalty Statements, 1928-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1876-1948. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1887-1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Correspondence Series consists of letters to and from Myers' family, friends, and colleagues. The bulk of the letters are between Myers and his professional colleagues. Topics discussed include his professorship at Princeton, trips to the Far East, the Princeton Battlefield State Park, and Republican Party affairs, both national and local. Notable correspondents include Herbert Hoover, Woodrow Wilson, and Walter Edge. The correspondence between Myers and his family is often personal in nature.

Arrangement

The Correspondence Series is arranged in two sections: Family and General. Folders are arranged alphabetically by correspondent or subject within the divisions.

Physical Description

7 boxes

Physical Description

2 boxes

Myers, J. Norris, 1916-1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

1909-1917, 1909-1917. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1919-1921, 1919-1921. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1922 March-April, 1922 March-April. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1922 May, 1922 May. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1923-1924, 1923-1924. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1925, 1925. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1926-1928, 1926-1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

undated, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Myers, Reverend Thomas, 1888-1893. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Myers, Virginia Starr, 1911-1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Myers, William Starr, 1885-1942. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Starr, Laura Virginia, 1909-1912. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Starr, Mrs. L. M, 1881-1882. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Unidentified, 1905-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1887-1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

6 boxes

A, 1899-1948. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

B, 1906-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

C, 1896-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

D, 1874-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

E, 1911-1954. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

F, 1909-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

G, 1906-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Ha-Hn, 1909-1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Hoover, Herbert, 1928-1934. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Hoover, Herbert, 1935. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Hoover, Herbert, 1936-1953. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Ho-Hz, 1900-1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

I, 1918-1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

J, 1900-1943. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

K, 1915-1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

L, 1876-1948. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

M, 1908-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

N, 1907-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

O, 1903-1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

P, 1909-1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Princeton Battlefield, 1944-1945. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Princeton University, 1897-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

R, 1905-1948. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Republican Party, 1924-1941. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Sa-Sh, 1914-1955. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Si-Sp, 1904-1945. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Sq-Sz, 1906-1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

T, 1902-1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

U-V, 1902-1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

W, 1909-1948. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Wilson, Woodrow, 1906-1915. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

X-Z, 1918-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Printed Matter Series includes books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and pamphlets. The bulk of the material was collected by Myers and a number of the journals and magazines contain pieces written by Myers. Many of the newspapers and pamphlets were likely collected for research purposes, as their subjects reflect topics he wrote about.

Arrangement

Some of the material in the Printed Matter Series has been grouped according to subject. For the most part, the original arrangement has been maintained.

Physical Description

4 boxes

Books, 1901-1952. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

Princeton Battlefield Project, 1899-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Protestant Evangelical Education Society, 1948-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Republican Party, 1912-1954. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Starr Family, Fliers and Programs, 1915-1945. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1877-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1907-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Journals and Magazines, 1900-1956. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

Socialist Papers, 1912-1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1907-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1908-1942. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1922-1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

Education Pamphlets, 1898-1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Evangelical Education Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Annual Reports, 1937-1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Herbert Hoover Pamphlets, 1928-1951. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Ku Klux Klan Pamphlets, 1924. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Oxford University Extension Lectures and Summer Meeting Programs, 1899. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Presidential Campaign Pamphlets, 1928. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Prohibition Pamphlets, 1924-1932. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Protestant Episcopal Church Pamphlets, 1936-1949. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Pamphlets, 1903-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Pamphlets, 1907-1955. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Photographs, Scrapbooks, and Oversized Posters Series includes various items collected by Myers. The bulk of the photographs are portraits of Myers, though some are of friends and colleagues. The scrapbooks, which appear to have been compiled by a clippings service, document Myers' entire career. The oversized posters include government notices and cartoons.

Arrangement

The original arrangement was maintained.

Physical Description

4 boxes

Myers, William Starr, Photographs, 1920-1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Photographs, 1898-1936. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Framed Photograph, 1952. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Framed Cartoon, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scrapbooks, 1895-1938. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Scrapbooks, 1888-1956. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Sketch, 1930. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Posters and Cartoons, 1915-1935. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Scope and Contents

The Photocopies, Hoover Presidential Library Series consists of photocopied William Starr Myers related documents ordered by Princeton's Special Collections department from the Hoover Presidential Library in 1974. Documents included correspondence between Myers and Hoover, along with some of Myers' published work.

Arrangement

The original arrangement was maintained.

Physical Description

1 box

Photocopies of William Starr Myers Related Material, 1929-1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest