Collection ID: C46
Printable View Printable View

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Bryan, Charlotte Lowe, 1867-1948
Abstract:
Charlotte A. Lowe, born September 7, 1867, in Indianapolis, Indiana, was the wife of William Lowe Bryan. The collection consists of personal papers, correspondence, and writings of Charlotte Lowe Bryan in four series: American Association of University Women, 1932-1933, consisting of loan fund reports for the Bloomington chapter; Addresses and presentations, 1929-1937, containing copies of speeches given both by and for Bryan; Correspondence, 1873-1937, containing correspondence both to and from Bryan; and Publications, 1933-1937, consisting of typescripts and galley sheets of articles written by Bryan.
Extent:
.6 cubic feet
Language:
Materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Item], Charlotte Lowe Bryan papers, Collection C46, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Charlotte A. Lowe was born September 7, 1867, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She attended elementary and high school in Indianapolis and graduated second in her class from Shortridge High School in 1885. She entered Indiana University and graduated with an A.B. in Greek in 1888. In a letter by then-President David Starr Jordan, he wrote, "Her rank in college was the very highest--in many studies higher than any other woman who has graduated from the University." Lowe continued her studies and received her Master of Arts in 1889.

That same year, Lowe also married William J. Bryan, who changed his name to William Lowe Bryan in her honor. In 1902, WLB assumed the presidency of Indiana University, a position he held until 1937. Although quite ill throughout most of her husband's presidency, Charlotte remained an active member of the University community in her role of "First Lady." In addition to numerous other projects and involvements, Charlotte oversaw the design and construction of the Bryan House, which still serves as the President's home on campus today. Charlotte Lowe Bryan died on August 26, 1948.

Scope and Content:

The papers of Charlotte Lowe Bryan are organized into four series: American Association of University Women, 1932-1933; Addresses and presentation, 1929-1937; Correspondence, 1873-1937; and Publications, 1933-1937.

The American Association of University Women series is small, consisting of only one folder. It is made up of Loan fund reports of the organization.

The Addresses and presentations series includes copies of speeches and presentations both given by and for Bryan, many of them containing Bryan's handwritten notes. The folders are arranged alphabetically.

Arranged alphabetically, the Correspondence series is by far the largest series, containing correspondence both to and from Bryan spanning 1873 to 1948. Additionally, the Lowe family folder contains notes about the Lowe family, including genealogical information. The correspondence from Lora Webster, Janet Ramsay Sims, Elizabeth Pennington, "Nettie", Alice Moore, Mrs. Carl Franzeu and H. E. Cowan are voluminous.

The journal kept by "Lotta" is from 1879, and it is complete and detailed.

In the Publications series, typescripts and galley sheets of articles written by Bryan can be found. Many of them contain handwritten corrections and notes by Bryan. The folders are arranged alphabetically.

Acquisition information:
Accession 1149
Processing information:

Processed by Dina Kellams.

Completed in 2000.

Correspondence found in the William Lowe Bryan papers were interfiled by C. Harrison Wick, January 2001.

Arrangement:

Organized into four series: American Association of University Women, Addresses and presentations, Correspondence, and Publications.

Online content

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Advance notice required.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.

The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.

Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Charlotte Lowe Bryan papers, Collection C46, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Herman B Wells Library E460
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
812-855-1127
archives@indiana.edu